The Galway International Arts Festival is waiting for the Government's next major announcement in May before making a decision on whether or not to proceed with this year's festival.
This week the National Public Health Emergency Team met to discuss the latest developments surrounding Covid-19 in Ireland, and the Government announced that no licensed events of more than 5,000 people will be allowed to take place until September at the earliest.
'We will await further clarification on crowd restrictions before we make a decision on whether this year’s Galway International Arts Festival goes ahead as planned'
As a result, All Together Now, Body and Soul, and Kaleidoscope have been cancelled, however the GIAF is awaiting "further guidance" before making a final decision on this year's festival, which was due to host concerts by the Pixies, the Flaming Lips, the Kaiser Chiefs, and Sinead O'Connor.
In a statement the GIAF said: “While yesterday's Government statement regarding licensed events of mass gatherings in excess of 5,000 people does impact the Festival, we await further guidance on restrictions on mass gatherings from NPHET. The Government has indicated that further updates will be made in this regard before May 5, and we will await further clarification on crowd restrictions before we make a decision on whether this year’s Galway International Arts Festival goes ahead as planned."
Health Minister Simon Harris has said previously that the public will have to learn to live with the virus circulating, but added some restrictions may be lifted during the summer, although social distancing measures will remain for some time yet.
