(Credit: https://www.graz.net/)

The organizers of the traditional Opera Ball in Graz have announced the cancelation of the event scheduled for Jan. 29, 2022.

“Despite the extensive security concepts that have been developed, the persistently challenging developments unfortunately lead to a renewed cancellation of the 23rd Opera Ball planned for January 29, 2022,” the organizers said in an official statement. “When the health of the guests and employees can be guaranteed again, longer-term planning security becomes possible and light-heartedness returns, the Opera Ball will return too,” added the organizers.

Austria is currently battling a new wave COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus. The country reported 11,975 new coronavirus cases on Nov. 11, 2021, a national pandemic record. The government of Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg has decided to impose a strict nationwide lockdown for all of its citizens who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus in order to combat the new wave of COVID-19.

The Opera Ball will again take place on January 28, 2023 at the Oper Graz.