Redcliffe’s huge Festival of Sails cancelled due to Coronavirus fears

One of southeast Queensland’s biggest Easter festivals has been cancelled.

Crowds at the Redcliffe Festival of Sails last year. This year’s event has been cancelled. Picture AAP/Richard Walker

The Festival of Sails, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the Redcliffe Peninsula on Good Friday, has been cancelled.

Moreton Bay Industry and Tourism (MBRIT) has taken the decision due to the rising threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The festival has scores of stalls and attractions along the Redcliffe foreshore and is held as the Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race gets underway.

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“Our team has been closely monitoring the situation and we are following the advice of Queensland Health,” Shane Newcombe, MBRIT CEO, said.

“Taking the advice and public safety into account, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the upcoming Redcliffe Festival of Sails at Suttons Beach, on Good Friday.

“Our first priority is the health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers, and our tourism industry and community, who undoubtedly, are and will be hit hard by this crisis.

“We, just like you, are extremely disappointed and saddened by the decision to cancel this much-loved community celebration.

“However the safety and welfare of festival guests are our critical priority and the decision was made with this at the forefront.

“All stakeholders involved with the delivery of this event, will be contacted by the MBRIT team.”

Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race passing the Redcliffe Festival of Sails last year. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

Mr Newcombe also said from tomorrow (Tuesday) Moreton Bay region’s eight accredited Visitor Information Centres managed by MBRIT will close until further notice.

Visitors can contact MBRIT on the tollfree number (1800 659 500) or visitmoretonbayregion.com.au with any travel queries.

The Coronavirus is impacting Moreton Bay’s $1 billion dollar tourism economy, which supports more than 5000 jobs in over 3000 businesses.

To help support local business operators and employees, MBRIT will be extending it’s Employee Assistance Program, delivered by Max Solutions, to eligible local businesses within the region’s tourism industry.

This will provide confidential short-term counselling, at no cost to employers and employees of eligible businesses and can be accessed for both professional and personal issues, including financial counselling.

More on this service will be available on the MBRIT website.