Glastonbury 2020 and coronavirus: The latest as spread of COVID-19 continues

The organisers of Glastonbury Festival 2020 have cancelled the world famous event amid the ongoing spread of novel coronavirus COVID-19.

UPDATE - All the latest on the Glastonbury 2020 coronavirus cancellation here

The Somerset festival, which is scheduled to begin its 50th anniversary event on June 24, is set to go ahead as things stand after a line-up poster was released on Thursday (March 12) - and staff are continuing to plan for the world-famous event.

The festival is currently working with relevant agencies, including Public Health England and the NHS, and closely monitoring developments with the coronavirus situation.

Reports indicate the UK government could soon ban all mass public gatherings - and many European countries have already taken similar measures in a bid to delay the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is unclear for how long this new rule might last if it is enacted in Britain, and there are two other large UK music festivals - Isle of Wight and Download - still due to take place before Glastonbury Festival 2020.

Boris Johnson said in a speech today (March 16) that the government would be "emphatically moving away" from supporting mass public gatherings, although they have not been officially banned by the UK government.

He also said that "everyone" should now avoid social contact with others and stop non-essential travel.

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What Glastonbury have said about coronavirus so far

On Instagram, organiser Emily Eavis wrote on March 12 that Glastonbury staff were still working hard to deliver the festival and were keeping their fingers "firmly crossed" it would go ahead.

Adrian Coombs, head of event operations at the festival, said in an official statement to Somerset Live on March 3 that organisers were still planning and preparing for the event.

But a government source has told the BBC that ministers are drawing up plans to ban mass gatherings this week.

National media have been speculating for some time about the possible threat to Glastonbury, as one of the best known 'mass gatherings' of the UK summer.

Official advice to cancel all large gatherings of people came into force in Scotland today (March 16).

Kendrick Lamar, Dizzee Rascal, Elbow, Editors, Manic Street Preachers, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Primal Scream, The Pet Shop Boys and The Specials were all among a wave of new acts announced for the festival on March 12.

They will join the previously announced Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and Dianna Ross at the Pilton event, which takes place between Wednesday, June 24 and Sunday, June 28.

On March 3, Adrian Coombs, head of event operations at Glastonbury Festival, issued a statement to Somerset Live .

He said: “Glastonbury Festival thoroughly plans each year's event, and puts in place all necessary measures to protect the public and maximise safety.

"We work closely with all of the relevant agencies, including Public Health England and the NHS, and always review our plans as any circumstances change.

"With this in mind and with our 2020 Festival still 16 weeks away, we continue to plan and prepare for the event, whilst at the same time closely monitoring developments with the coronavirus situation.”

Latest message from organiser Emily Eavis

When the first line-up poster was announced on March 12, organiser Emily Eavis issued a message to festival-goers on Instagram.

She wrote: "So, after much consideration given the current circumstances, and with the best of intentions, here is the first list of musical acts for Glastonbury 2020.

"As things stand we are still working hard to deliver our 50th anniversary Festival in June and we are very proud of the bill that we have put together over the last year or so.

"No one has a crystal ball to see exactly where we will all be 15 weeks from now, but we are keeping our fingers firmly crossed that it will be here at Worthy Farm for the greatest show on Earth!

"As always this is just a taste of what is to come, we plan to announce many more artists and attractions, area by area, over the coming weeks leading up to the full line-up in May.

"In the meantime we post this with much love to all."

Coronavirus latest as government considers gatherings ban

Mass public gatherings could be banned in the UK from as early as this weekend as the outbreak of coronavirus intensifies, the BBC reports.

A government source has told the BBC ministers are now drawing up plans for the move - to ease pressure on emergency services.

Scores of major sporting and cultural events have already been cancelled in response to the pandemic - and many European countries have already taken similar measures.

It is unclear for how long this new rule might last if it is enacted in Britain.

Official advice to cancel all large gatherings of people came into force in Scotland today.

Events involving more than 500 people should not go ahead, the Scottish government has advised,  and official guidance has been published for organisers, sports governing bodies, supporters and clubs.

The Scottish government does not have the power to cancel events, but has called on organisers "to act responsibly".