Coronavirus: Coachella could be postponed until October after new cases found

Organisers have said they will know in the next 48 hours whether the festival will be moved

Coachella organisers are trying to move the event to the weekends of October 9 and October 16, in light of concerns over the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The news comes after public health officials confirm there are currently six cases of coronavirus active in Riverside County, where Coachella takes place.

City officials and talent agents began discussing the logistics of moving the festival late Sunday night (8 March). As it stands, the likelihood of staging the festival on the weekends of April 10 and April 19 is looking increasingly unlikely.

Organisers hope to know within the next 48 hours is the move is possible. If not, the 2020 versions of Coachella will likely be cancelled.

Postponing the massive music festival series until October is a huge endeavour involving hundreds of artists and their representatives as well as hundreds of vendors and contractors and tens of thousands of employees.

Coachella has already confirmed headliners such as Travis Scott, Rage Against the Machine and Frank Ocean. Many artists will be on tour in during the fall months and organisers aren’t likely to get all the performers to agree to the move.

The festival attracts 99,000 people a day over six days, according to the festival’s promoter Goldenvoice. The lineup includes a variety of international acts and welcomes fans from across the globe.

According to Allianz Travel, the festival brings in 46% more travellers by air than SXSW and 89% more than Ultra Music Festival, which was also cancelled last Friday.

Just last week SXSW festival was axed due to coronavirus fears, leaving hundreds of new and up-and-coming artists out of pocket.

Glastonbury organisers are yet to confirm whether or not the festival will go ahead.