After social media questioned the safety concerns of holding the Sunburn Festival amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, in Goa, in December, the organisers of the festival announced on Saturday that the event will be rescheduled.
The organisers, in a statement, said, “In consultation with the authorities, we have decided to re-schedule Sunburn Goa 2020, originally planned for the dates 27, 28 & 29 December in Vagator, Goa. We are overwhelmed by the response we received from our fans across India & globally. At the same time, we noted the concerns highlighted by a few relating to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We have been constantly monitoring the COVID-19 situation both in Goa and across India. The plans for hosting a small, safe & socially distanced Sunburn event was made in view of the gradually improving situation and in anticipation of this to continue.”
The organisers also clarified that the plans for the festival were in line with the guidelines for outdoor shows specified in the Unlock 5.0 program. They also wrote that the shutting down of the industry for over eight months has put the livelihoods of many people at stake and organising the event was an attempt to re-start the industry.
“In the next few weeks, we will hopefully continue to see an improvement in the COVID-19 numbers & overall situation which will enable us to ascertain new dates for the festival. We hope to be able to announce this very soon,” they added.
Official Notice pic.twitter.com/N92sl0GFfa
— Sunburn Festival (@SunburnFestival) November 7, 2020
The festival was originally slated to be held on December 27, 28, and 29 and with a limited capacity of 20%.
The rescheduling of the event was welcomed by the residents of Goa who had previously called out the government for permitting a music festival to be held in the middle of a pandemic.
Sunburn is cancelled, yougaiz! Omg, I cannot believe that better sense prevailed.
Thankfully, the Opposition woke up to it. Now, the hope is they come together for #SaveMollem
— Joanna #SaveMollem (@thatdoggonelady) November 6, 2020
