Coachella 2021 April dates cancelled due to ongoing coronavirus pandemic

News of Coachella's postponement in 2021 is yet to be announced via Coachella's social media accounts, but Dr. Cameron Kaiser, public health officer for Riverside County, announced on Friday (29 January) that he signed a "public health order canceling Coachella Valley Music and Arts, Stagecoach Country Music festivals planned for April 2021."

Due to the pandemic, Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser today (Jan. 29) signed a public health order canceling Coachella Valley Music and Arts, Stagecoach Country Music festivals planned for April 2021. We look forward to when the events may return. https://t.co/YAIn8uTea9

— Dr. Cameron Kaiser (@RivCoDoc) January 29, 2021

According to Los Angeles Times, Dr. Kaiser wrote in the order, "This order is intended to reduce the likelihood of exposure to COVID-19, thereby slowing the spread of COVID-19 in communities worldwide. If COVID-19 were detected at these festivals, the scope and number of attendees and the nature of the venue would make it infeasable, if not impossible, to track those who may be placed at risk."

The double weekend music festival was due to take place from 9-11 and 16-18 April.

Dr. Kaiser's cancellation of the April 2021 dates for Coachella mark the third time the festival has postponed dates due to the pandemic. In March 2020, organisers officially postponed last year's Coachella until October 2020, and a few months later in June they announced 2021 dates for the festival after being forced to call off the 2020 event.

Back in October last year, reports emerged that promoters AEG and Goldenvoice were asking employees to prepare to reschedule the April 2021 dates for autumn 2021.