Music festival Groovin the Moo has become the latest major event to be cancelled over coronavirus.
The annual music festival, which takes place in Canberra and other regional locations, was formally cancelled on Tuesday.
It comes as gatherings of more than 500 people have been banned in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"The government's recommendations together with the uncertainty of these times makes it impossible for us to push forward with Groovin the Moo this year," organisers said in a statement on social media.
"This is the first time since the inaugural Groovin the Moo was held in Gloucester in 2005 that we're unable to bring the festival to our beloved regions across the country."
Issues over logistics, as well as uncertainty about the length of the ban on public gatherings, has meant the music festival was unable to be rescheduled to a later date.
The music festival was set to take place in Canberra on April 25 at Exhibition Park.
Artists including Tones and I, Kelis and Gang of Youths were set to perform.
The touring festival was also scheduled to take place in Wayville, Bunbury, Bendigo, Townsville and Maitland between April 24 and May 9.
Those with tickets can either request a refund or to transfer tickets to the 2021 festival.
Further details about how tickets will be able to be transferred is expected to be announced in coming days.
Promoters Steve Halpin and Rod Little said they were devastated by the cancellation.
"There is nothing that we love more than seeing our Moo Crew in each of our regions and we are deeply saddened that this won;'t be happening this year," they said.
"We're aware that this is impacting many people around the world and we encourage you to look after each other."
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
