The Beat Hotel has been forced to postpone its Marrakech festival, which was due to take place across March 19 to 22, after the Moroccan Government made the decision to ban events with over 1000 people in an attempt to stop the spread COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.
Read this next: Sustainable sesh: How clubs and festivals are boosting the green agenda
The festival has made a statement on Facebook, writing: “The safety our guests is our number one priority for The Beat Hotel Marrakech, and we work closely with Moroccan and international partners all year round to plan an enjoyable and safe event. We have been closely monitoring the developments over the past few weeks and, despite our best intentions to make the event happen safely, the Moroccan Government has ruled it cannot go ahead, as part a nationwide ban on mass gatherings, until at least the end March.
“The Beat Hotel is a small, independently-owned company and our values have always been centred around bringing people together for meaningful and memorable experiences. To not deliver another one, at a time so close to the event, is heartbreaking for everyone involved. However, as the effects Coronavirus, actual and projected, become evident across all aspects our lives, we respect the decision the Moroccan Authorities.”
“The event will be postponed until further notice. All ticket holders will be eligible to attend the rescheduled event and we will share more information about this as soon as we’re able. We understand that people will be hugely disappointed, as are we all. We know there will be lots questions and we’ll endeavour to answer them as thoroughly as possible, but we ask for your patience over the next few days whilst we get to grips with things, and make the necessary and immediate arrangements. We will make a further announcement in the coming days. In the meantime if you have any questions please contact us on [email protected].”
Travel to and within Morocco remains unrestricted, with the ban only impacting large scale gatherings as it stands.
Read this next: 9 DJs told us their favourite small festival
Ultra Music Festival in Miami and France's Tomorrowland Winter are among the festivals also cancelled by the outbreak.
See the full statement below.
Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Features Editor, follow him on Twitter