Pop star Taylor Swift announced Friday that she is canceling all live shows and appearances for the rest of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, saying “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.”
The “Lover” singer posted on social media that she was rescheduling her planned shows in the United States and Brazil until 2021.
“Fighting COVID-19 is an unprecedented challenge for our global community and the safety and wellbeing of fans should always be the top priority,” Swift wrote. “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 canceled, 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,” she added.
The 30-year-old musician has only played a handful of shows following the August release of her seventh studio album “Lover.”
She planned to perform at the Capital One Jamfest prior to the NCAA’s March Madness Final Four before the tournament was canceled. She was also scheduled to headline Glastonbury, a major U.K. festival, before that was similarly postponed due to the coronavirus.
Rather than a massive stadium tour, Swift opted to plan two large U.S. festivals in 2020 to promote her album on both coasts, as well as a few international shows.
Lover Fest West was scheduled to take place on July 25 and 26 at Los Angeles’ new NFL venue SoFi Stadium, while Lover Fest East was set for Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on July 31 and Aug. 1.
Swift wrote that the tickets will automatically transfer to the new date when announced. Fans who wished to get refunded can do so through Ticketmaster.
“Thank you so much for understanding,” the Grammy winner wrote. “We look forward to seeing you all, happy and healthy, in the future.”
Swift has been encouraging her fans to practice social-distancing, sharing on Instagram last month that she was concerned that “things aren’t being taken seriously enough right now.”
“I’m seeing lots of get togethers and hangs and parties still happening. This is the time to cancel plans, actually truly isolate as much as you can, and don’t assume that because you don’t feel sick that you aren’t possibly passing something on to someone elderly or vulnerable to this.” she wrote on an Instagram Story. “It’s a really scary time but we need to make social sacrifices right now.”
“The Man” singer has been sending $3,000 each to multiple fans to help them cover bills during the coronavirus pandemic.