Bluesfest 2021 Is Still Going Ahead Despite Brisbane’s Snap Lockdown

UPDATE 31/03/21: Bluesfest 2021 Has Been Cancelled

Just days away from its commencement, Bluesfest 2021 organisers have released a statement confirming that this year’s festival will go ahead. The statement arrives following today’s snap lockdown in Brisbane, and after reports that two people who have since tested positive for COVID-19 visited the Byron Bay area from Brisbane while infectious.

A statement from festival organisers says that on the advice from NSW Health, ticket holders that are affected by the 3-day Queensland lockdown will not be allowed to attend the festival on the first day, Thursday April 1. Currently, the restrictions cover the council areas of Brisbane, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, Logan, and Redlands.

According to the same statement, in a press conference today, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard urged people of Brisbane who had Bluesfest tickets not to attend the festival. “Thursday is out of any question if you listened to what your government is saying. If the Government in Queensland extends the lockdown period, and we are not saying they will at this stage, but if they do, clearly people who have bought or are buying tickets from Brisbane are not welcome to attend the festival.”

“I have spoken to the organisers and I understand arrangements put in place for refunds.”

Bluesfest has advised they will keep ticket buyers from the affected area updated and advise them to check with the Queensland government regularly for updates on the current 3-day lockdown.

Bluesfest 2021 will run between 1st-5th April at its usual home of Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm in Byron Bay, with a lineup that includes the likes of Jimmy Barnes, Tash Sultana, Ocean Alley, the Teskey Brothers and many more.