Geraldton’s Funtavia Festival planned for 1-2 May 2020, will be rescheduled due to concerns about the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak upon the event.

Funtavia Chair Rob Jefferies states “This decision has been made with careful consideration by the Funtavia Board after undertaking an extensive risk assessment process.“

“We had to act now and seriously consider the major risks such as a forced delay by circumstance beyond our control to meet our financial responsibilities to our sponsors, performers, and contractors and to best position Funtavia for its future sustainability.

“The Board attained the most relevant, objective information available to us from responsible agencies and authoritative health officers to make the decision,” said Mr Jefferies.

Professional public health advice provided to Funtavia included a forecast that COVID-19 cases in WA are expected to peak around July/August 2020. Therefore the closer Funtavia is to that time, the greater the risk.

Mr Jefferies said “This advice, along with further information relevant to Funtavia’ circumstances, greatly assisted our risk management process and decision making.”

“Our considerations are specific to the Funtavia event, and should not be projected onto others”, he advised, “key risk factors, financial resilience, timing and other considerations are going to vary, so differences in approach between events can only be expected,” Mr Jefferies added.

Funtavia is at a critical time in event preparations, moving from the planning stage where it could use the work completed in a rescheduled event, to the next stage of committing funds and resources based upon a set date and venue.

Mr Jefferies advised “An important core value of Funtavia and valuable feedback from previous years, is that Funtavia provides an amazing event, in a safe atmosphere where everyone thoroughly enjoys each other's company.”

“It is a joyous celebration of community spirit, but with this jubilant interaction an environment exists where recommended precautionary practises like social distancing become very difficult, and we also had to ask ourselves if a COVID-19 incident did occur, how could health officers reasonably trace and assist people who may have had a close contact,” Mr Jefferies said.

The Funtavia Board believes that the event’s well regarded sense of security and good will is compromised by the overshadowing concerns of the potential impact of COVID-19 in the community.

“Given the potential risk of an escalation of the COVID-19 threat that may exist in May, the level of concern already evident within the community, potential impact on adequate attendance numbers and the financial risk to our not-for-profit organisation, the Funtavia Board strongly believe this is the right decision for Funtavia,” Mr Jefferies added.

The Festival will be rescheduled once there is clarity around the extent of the COVID-19 impact on the Midwest. Once there is stability, Funtavia will regroup to determine the best time to hold the Festival.

Mr Jefferies expressed the Funtavia Board’s great appreciation of the support that the event receives.

“Whether you are an artist, partner, sponsor, volunteer, contractor or patron, please know that we greatly value all the time, effort and support invested into the Festival, this is why we continue and have drive to deliver this unique event. We look forward to the continuing support that shall move us to an incredible future festival.

The Funtavia website, Facebook, Instagram and E-news will contain relevant updates.