The coronavirus outbreak causes yet another event cancellation.
Germany's once-a-decade Oberammergau Passion Play has been postponed to 2022.
The decision to delay the performances was made by the municipality of Oberammergau and the directing team of the Passion Play in order to protect the health of participants and spectators.
"The health department has conducted a risk assessment," said a statement from the Administrative District Office of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
"According to this, it is not possible to carry out the Passion Play into the autumn. It can be assumed that the restrictions on public life can be reduced again if the exponential increase in infected persons can be interrupted. However, we will still have a high risk of recurrent infections over a long period of time. At this stage, it can be clearly predicted that an event on the scale of the Passion Play is not feasible. The risk is too high that new chains of infection will develop. From a preventive health point of view, the event should, therefore, be prohibited."
The Passion Play dates back to 1633 and is particularly poignant in these trying times.
It began when the people of Oberammergau vowed to perform the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ every 10 years if no one died of the plague anymore.
After performing the Passion Play, the death rate dropped and villagers believed that they had been spared. The play has been performed every 10 years since over the course of five months during every year ending in zero.
Tour operators are updating schedules and tours that included Oberammergau.
Globus enacted a policy to enable all guests with 2020 Oberammergau bookings the opportunity to be the first to reserve their spots for 2022 at the current price when performances resume. The company expects to offer new dates to travelers by May 2020.
Guests can take advantage of Glubus' Peace of Mind travel plan which invites travelers with vacations planned through May 31, 2020, the freedom to reschedule their vacation in 2020, 2021 or 2022, to any destination, on any brand, without incurring cancellation fees.
"We recognize that travelers are faced with a great deal of uncertainty right now, and we are committed to helping them through this situation with the right options, adequate time and high levels of attention and consideration," said Scott Nisbet, president and CEO of the Globus family of brands. "We are doing our best to cater to each and every traveler and help them feel confident in their decision to explore the world with us."
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