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We the organisers of DergFest have been following the current situation, and the NI Executive 5 point Corona Virus Plan to make an assessment whether this years event can go ahead.
We are not currently in a position to say whether this year’s festival will be cancelled or whether it can proceed in a scaled back model, as the situation is very fluid.
We are proposing that we continue to monitor the situation, and under stage 4 outdoor concerts may be permitted. We acknowledge it is unlikely and that it may not be practical, but we propose the following, only if the circumstances allow for us to present an event that is safe for our patrons, staff, performers, and the wider community.
The date of the festival if it can proceed will be moved to the last weekend of August.
Capacity will be dramatically reduced, and the arena will be set up with physical barriers to ensure that we conform to the social distancing guidance applicable. This will be strictly enforced, and anyone not conforming will be asked to leave in the interests of Health & Safety.
All practical control measures will be taken. Handwashing, sanitising points will be provided, as well as PPE for our event staff. Shared facilities such as toilets etc will be regularly cleaned and sanitised. Any other measures required by statuary guidance or are practical at the time will be provided.
Please note this statement is only in reply to many enquiries we have had, there are many obstacles and moving parts to be negotiated, as well as the financial implications of reducing capacity drastically and the increased expenditure that will be required to provide the necessary facilities. (Please note that an event like this requires a large degree of upfront expenditure by us personally, and our businesses are closed for the foreseeable future, making this highly challenging).
In the balance of probabilities the likelihood festival happening is not currently in our favour, however we cannot predict where we will be by the end of August. If we can provide an event that is safe and the conditions are right (and only if this is the case), it will not be on the level of our previous years (which we are extremely proud of) but we will continue to cross our fingers and plan for it. We will provide a further update at the end of June.
*Please note that we will not be replying to any comments or messages, this statement is self explanatory.
Stay Safe- The DergFest Crew
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