PM Jacinda Ardern announced unprecedented quarantine measures at a press conference on March 14. Video / Sylvie Whinray
Shows by overseas entertainers look likely to dry up for the foreseeable future as a result of the Government's self-isolation rules.
New Zealand promoters face a logistical nightmare, as their overseas acts scheduled to arrive for at least the next two weeks will have to self-isolate.
The Government's ruling yesterday that everyone, including Kiwi citizens, entering the country will have to self-isolate for 14 days means many big acts will literally not be allowed to take the stage.
Given the tight tour schedules of most big overseas performers there is very little chance they would be able to arrive in New Zealand shores two weeks before the date they were set to perform.
For example, American star Lenny Kravitz is scheduled to put on a show at Spark Arena on March 31.
But in order to meet the Government's self-isolation guidelines he would have to arrive either this Sunday or Monday, in order to meet the 14-day self-isolation criteria to perform as planned.
The Herald has contacted the two main touring companies who bring acts to New Zealand, Live Nation and Frontier Touring, to get a status update on the tours and events below. We have not yet received a response.
The Government's self-isolation ruling, which began at midnight on March 15, will be reviewed in 16 days, and may be extended.
Upcoming big events on the ropes:
Auckland Arts Festival 11-29 March Lenny Kravitz - March 31, Spark Arena Eagles of Death Metal - April 8, Powerstation Tame Impala - 16 April, Spark Arena Alanis Morissette – 21 April, Spark Arena The Offspring with Sum 41 - April 28, Spark Arena Patti Smith – 28 April, Auckland Town Hall Stormzy - May 1 TSB Arena Wellington Faith No More - 8 May, Spark Arena Ben Elton - 9 May, the Civic Iron Maiden - 13 May, Spark Arena
Alanis Morissette is scheduled to perform at Spark Arena April 21, 2020.
Organisers of the 2020 NZ International Comedy Festival in Auckland scheduled for April 30 to May 24 also told the Herald they would be reassessing the event in the coming week.
Today, British comedian Russell Brand cancelled his tour of New Zealand due to coronavirus concerns.
His shows tonight and tomorrow in Auckland, Monday's in Wellington and Tuesday's show in Christchurch have all been scrapped.
The promoters of the Russell Brand Recovery Live Tour said all tickets can be refunded from the point of purchase.
Taking to Twitter, the celebrity said "rapidly evolving challenges and guidelines related to travel and gathering" were to blame.
"I am postponing all tour dates until we better understand coronavirus and how to contend with it. I hope I see you soon," he said.
Due to rapidly evolving challenges and guidelines related to travel and gathering, I am postponing all tour dates until we better understand coronavirus and how to contend with it. I hope I see you soon.
The singer and the guitarist of the band Iron Maiden Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith. Their NZ tour in May is in doubt.
On Friday, American band My Chemical Romance issued a statement saying their March 25 show at The Outerfields, Western Springs will not be going ahead.
