HUNDREDS OF EVENTS AT RISK
Hundreds of sports events, trade shows, exhibitions and concerts could be cancelled or postponed across Christchurch as the Government looks to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday that gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled.
The news has led to the postponement of the City to Surf fun run on Sunday, which was expected to attract 12,000 people, and Saturday’s Le Race cycling event from Christchurch to Akaroa has also been postponed.
Super Rugby games and the one-day cricket international between the Black Caps and Australia on March 29 had already been postponed and a Russell Brand show on tonight and the Soweto Gospel Choir at the Town Hall on March 28 have been cancelled. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra podium series at the Town Hall on Friday has been postponed to May.
Christchurch’s annual garden festival Grow O¯ Tautahi at the city’s botanic gardens this weekend is being scaled back. Organisers have now cancelled Friday’s opening event and all programme events that would have been run inside. The exhibition gardens and outdoor exhibits would continue as planned.
Christchurch was planning to host 113 events with more than 1000 participants between now and September, according to figures provided by promotional and economic development agency ChristchurchNZ.
Some 46 of those events were scheduled to be held before the end of April, including the city library book sale on March 27 and
28, the Woolston Gala on March
28 and the New Zealand Industry Trucking Show this weekend. ChristchurchNZ said 15,000 people were expected to attend the truck show.
It was not yet known how many events with more than 500 people were planned, but it was expected to be a significant number as it would include mediumscale community events and possibly big church gatherings.
Ardern did not say when the ban would end.
ChristchurchNZ chief executive Joanna Norris said the Government’s move was a prudent step, and she urged organisers to err on the side of caution when deciding whether to run an event.
‘‘Our advice to people in the events industry is to take this seriously. We have one opportunity to slow this down.’’
Norris said the cancellations would have a significant economic impact on the region, but ChristchurchNZ had yet to quantify exactly how much it was expected to hurt financially.
It was predicted the 113 events would attract 385,000 people.
Christchurch City Councilowned events company Vbase was also likely to take a hit.
Vbase event delivery and operations head Chris Mintern said his team would be calling event organisers today to find out their plans.
‘‘There will be a lot of events cancelled. There will be a significant impact on the business.’’
Vbase runs events from Orangetheory Stadium, Hagley Oval, Horncastle Arena, the Town Hall and a conference centre at Wigram Airforce Museum.
Other events that could be affected include Tina Simply the Best at Isaac Theatre Royal on Saturday, The Food Show at Horncastle Arena on April 3 to 5, and the Showbiz performance of My Fair Lady at Isaac Theatre Royal on April 3 to 18.
‘‘Our advice to people in the events industry is to take this seriously. We have one opportunity to slow this down.’’
Joanna Norris ChristchurchNZ chief executive