Ever since its emergence in China in late December 2019, the coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19 has spread across the world, significantly impacting different aspects of life.
The entertainment industry in Kenya is feeling the effects of the virus, with several events being cancelled following a government directive dissuading public gatherings. The directive came right after authorities confirmed three cases of the coronavirus in the country, with the first patient being a woman who flew into Kenya from the US via London. The other two patients were part of the 27 people who had been in contact with the first case -nicknamed Patient Zero.
Here are some of the entertainment events which have been postponed and some, cancelled:
Dadasphere Festival
According to organisers, Dadaspehre Festival is an ‘event for African women to share their stories and ideas.’ The festival, which was set for March 14 at Sarit Centre, Nairobi was cancelled over coronavirus fears.
Media personality Janet Mbugua and veteran musician Wahu Kagwi were some of the speakers expected at the festival. In a statement, the Dadasphere Festival organisers said that the event has been postponed till things are calm.
“Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus and the Kenyan government directive on all public gatherings, events and meetings, we have decided to postpone Dadasphere Festival till the situation is calm and under control,” the statement read in part.
Churchill Show
On March 13, Laugh Festival informed Churchill Show fans that the live recording set for the next day at South C had been cancelled over coronavirus fears.
According to a statement from the company, customers who had purchased tickets to the show need not worry as the show would be held at a later date.
“Your ticket remains valid as soon as confirmation for resumption of public events.
“We would like to take this opportunity to apologize to every one of you who was looking forward to the event as it was never our intention to disappoint all of you,” part of the statement read.
However, the show aptly named the ‘quarantine edition’ was recorded and aired without members of the audience.
Trace Live
On Friday, musicians King Kaka, H_art the Band and Naiboi were set to grace the second edition of Trace Live at Sarit Centre. Themed ‘Trace in the streets’, the event sought to ‘position Kenyan culture through poetry, rap, and harmony’.
However, it did not materialise as organisers cancelled the event over coronavirus concerns.
Internationally, the Coachella music festival which attracts up to 500,000 fans was cancelled because of concerns over the coronavirus.
Singer Justin Bieber had to massively scale down his performance venues from stadiums to arenas due to the disease.
Several movies have also been hard- hit with the virus; shooting of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s Red Notice movie in Italy was postponed. The European country has thus far recorded 24,747 confirmed cases and 1,809 deaths from coronavirus.
Production on the seventh instalment of Mission Impossible in Venice was halted was cancelled and crew sent home as a result of coronavirus outbreak.