Burning Man festival canceled for first time ever amid coronavirus pandemic

BREAKING: Burning Man festival canceled for first time ever amid coronavirus pandemic – despite being scheduled for August 30

  • Burning Man festival has been canceled for the first time due to coronavirus  
  • Organizers announced Friday that the arts festival will not take place in 2020
  • The Nevada event usually pulls in about 80,000 people from across the world 
  • Cancelation of the August festival suggests some fear the pandemic and the lockdown rules could continue far longer than officials have said 
  • The US recorded its deadliest day, as it becomes the first country to top more than 2,000 deaths in 24 hours and infections topped half a million  
  • Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID

Burning Man festival has been canceled for the first time ever because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Organizers announced Friday evening that the Nevada arts festival, which is not scheduled to start until August 30, will not take place in 2020.

The news came as the US recorded its deadliest day, as it becomes the first country to mark more than 2,000 deaths in 24 hours and its number of infections topped half a million.   

‘After much listening, discussion, and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision not to build Black Rock City in 2020. Given the painful reality of COVID-19, one of the greatest global challenges of our lifetimes, we believe this is the right thing to do. Yes, we are heartbroken. We know you are too,’ a statement on the Burning Man Journal read. 

Burning Man festival has been canceled for the first time ever because of the coronavirus pandemic

The festival, usually held in the Nevada desert, will be held virtually for 2020 under a theme called the ‘Multiverse’. 

‘We are, however, going to build Black Rock City in The Multiverse. That’s the theme for 2020 so we’re going to lean into it. Who’d have believed it would come true? We look forward to welcoming you to Virtual Black Rock City 2020. We’re not sure how it’s going to come out; it will likely be messy and awkward with mistakes. It will also likely be engaging, connective, and fun,’ the statement from organizers said.  

An organizer is pictured setting up for the 2019 festival. The 2020 event will be held virtually

An organizer is pictured setting up for the 2019 festival. The 2020 event will be held virtually 

The infamous event in Northern Nevada’s Black Rock Desert usually pulls in crowds of about 80,000 people each year traveling from all across the US and the world.

The cancelation of the festival suggests some fear the pandemic and the lockdown rules could continue far longer than officials have said. 

Burning Man was scheduled to run from August 30 to September 7 this year. 

White House officials said on Thursday they believe the US economy could start to reopen for normal business in May, despite health experts urging for continued social distancing measures to defeat the coronavirus.    

Friday marked a dark day for the US, as 2,028 Americans died from coronavirus in a single day, taking the death toll to almost 19,000. 

The total number of Americans infected skyrocketed past half a million to 505,478, as another 35,579 Americans tested positive. 

The US is on track to become the deadliest nation in the world amid the outbreak, as it rapidly edges closer to Italy’s death toll of 18,849.  

Worldwide, more than 100,000 people have now been killed in the pandemic.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk