Coronavirus: Parramatta Council cancels, postpones festivals
The coronavirus has changed Parramatta’s social life, from strict measures for theatregoers to less family-friendly festivals as the world grapples with the health crisis.
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Parramatta Council has been forced to suspend and cancel several popular events because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The measures are in line with the Federal Government’s ban on gatherings that attract more than 500 people.
Telopea Family Fun Day on Saturday March 21 will be postponed.
Other events to be held at later dates include Epping Family Fun Day, a consultation session for Sturt and Acacia Park upgrades (March 21), Rosehill Family Fun Day and the North Rocks Family Fun Day, which was to coincide with the opening of John Wearn Reserve on Sunday May 24 and expected to attract 5000 people.
The popular Winterlight Festival, which is run during the July school holidays, has been cut for this year, along with Warami Aboriginal festival events from May to July.
Citizenship ceremonies will also be cancelled and residents have been asked to contact the council for further updates.
Parramatta Farmers’ Market will still be held at Centenary Square and shows at Riverside Theatres will still be staged per schedule.
However, start and finishing times will be staggered to minimise risk of gatherings
before and after performances, and the crowd will be managed at the entrance to reduce crowd gathering and mingling.
Ticket sales have been reduced to less than 500 to adhere to bans on crowd control.
Early learning centres, aquatic centres and libraries remain open and the council is review “discretionary programs, which may result in activities or events assessed as higher risk being deferred or cancelled”.
Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said the council was taking advice from NSW Health and was monitoring the situation daily.
“Council is taking this public health threat very seriously and we will be doing what we can to ensure community and staff safety at this time,” he said.