In a statement, released Thursday, it was confirmed that the 2020 edition of 420 Vancouver would officially be cancelled due to the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19.

This followed on the heels of an announcement earlier in the afternoon by provincial health officials, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and the Minster of Health Adrian Dix, that banned all gatherings and events of 250 people or more, as part of a new aggressive strategy aimed at curving the spread of coronavirus in the province.

“It is with great sadness that we must announce the cancellation of 420 Vancouver 2020, due to health concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus,” confirmed the statement.

“Though 4/20 is a protest, it is not a protest against health officials, and it makes sense to help them protect the public from the outbreak of an infectious virus.”

The release confirmed that vendors who had booked a booth for the event would be receiving a refund in the next few days.

Though the 420 celebrations at Sunset Beach will be cancelled this year, the Cannabis Day event on July 1 at Thornton Park in Vancouver is still set to go ahead.