Taylor Swift postpones Lover Fest, cancels all 2020 performance dates

It’s going to be a cruel summer: Like so many other concert tours, events, and film releases, Taylor Swift’s Lover Fest — along with the rest of her 2020 performances — has been canceled due to the coronavirus.

“I'm so sad I won't be able to see you guys in concert this year, but I know this is the right decision,” the pop star tweeted Friday. “Please, please stay healthy and safe. I’ll see you on stage as soon as I can but right now what’s important is committing to this quarantine, for the sake of all of us.”

“Fighting COVID-19 is an unprecedented challenge for our global community and the safety and wellbeing of fans should always be the top priority,” a statement attached to the tweet read. “Health organizations and governments around the world have strongly discouraged large public gatherings for an undetermined period of time. With many events throughout the world already cancelled, and upon direction from health officials in an effort to keep fans safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19, sadly the decision has been made to cancel all Taylor Swift live appearances and performances this year.”

The planned concert tour for her acclaimed seventh studio album Lover had just two stops — both in NFL stadiums. Entitled Lover Fest East (in Foxborough, Mass.) and Lover Fest West (in Los Angeles), the events were modeled after festivals more than traditional concerts. With her L.A. performances in the currently under-construction SoFi Stadium, Swift would have made history as the first woman ever to open an NFL arena.

The shows are going to be rescheduled for next year; otherwise, ticketholders can request refunds starting May 1.

For the latest information on coronavirus (COVID-19), including how to protect yourself and what to do if you think you are sick, please visit coronavirus.gov.

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