Popular Idaho music festival cancelled amid virus concerns

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A popular Boise, Idaho, music festival has been postponed until September amid growing concerns about coronavirus outbreak.

Treefort Music Fest attracts crowds of more than 20,000 people each spring. This year more than 400 artists and bands were in lineup for week-long festival originally scheduled to begin March 25.

Treefort organizers me anuncement Wednesday.

Idaho has t h any confirmed cases of COVID-19, illness caused by new coronavirus, but nearby states have seen growing community spre. anuncement on Treefort came same day World Health Organization declared illness a global pandemic and Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee anunced a ban on events of more than 250 people in Seattle area.

Or major music festivals have me similar decisions. Coachella music festival in California, originally scheduled for April, was postponed until October. two-week-long film and music festival South by Southwest in Texas was canceled last week.

Treefort officials said all tickets purchased for March event will be valid for September, and customers can request refunds by emailing festival.

Lori Shandro, festival co-founder, said decision was tough but community has always been organizers’ top priority.

“In light of event cancellations around globe and uncertainty about how this outbreak will impact Idaho, it was decided that postponing our festival is best way to reduce unkwn risk for our community,” she said in a prepared statement.

For most people, new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

vast majority of people recover from new virus. According to World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.