The Ekka Has Been Cancelled in 2020 Due to COVID-19
In the event's 143-year history it has only been cancelled two other times: during the Spanish Flu and World War II.
With the Australian Government tightening its restrictions on public gatherings and social distancing in a bid to contain COVID-19, the country's flurry of event cancellations was always going to continue. In Brisbane, that means a massive change to the city's August calendar, with the Ekka shuttering its 2020 plans.
In a statement on the Royal Queensland Show's website, the RNA announced that "due to the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, increasing social distancing measures and public gathering restrictions being implemented, the RNA has made the decision to cancel the 2020 Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) in the best interests of public health".
This year's event was due to take over the Brisbane Showgrounds from Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 16. First held in 1876, this is only the third time in the show's 143-year history that it has been cancelled — with previous cancellations in 1919 and 1942 due to the Spanish Flu and World War 11, respectively.
https://www.facebook.com/TheEkka/photos/a.128140380559690/3837603359613355/?type=3&theater
Competitors and exhibitors will receive refunds, but the process could take up to two or three months.
Ekka joins a growing list of cancelled and postponed events, which already includes the likes of Texan music and film festival South by Southwest and California's Coachella. More locally, Tasmania's Dark Mofo, Sydney's Royal Easter Show and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival have all been cancelled.
The 2020 Ekka will no longer take place from Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 16. For more information, visit the show's website.
To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
