Glastonbury Festival has responded to worries over the growing coronavirus outbreak.

Fears have been raised by some Glastonbury-goers after chief medical officer Chris Whitty warned that "reducing mass gatherings" might be appropriate amid the spread of novel coronavirus COVID-19.

However, the festival, which opens its gates in June for its 50th anniversary, has said it is continuing to plan and prepare for the event.

Adrian Coombs, Glastonbury Festival’s Head of Event Operations, 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.”

More than 200,000 people are expected to travel to Pilton in Somerset for the five-day event, which takes place from Wednesday, June 24 to Sunday, June 28, 2020.

Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney have already been announced as headliners for Glastonbury Festival 2020.

Coronavirus latest

As of March 3, a total of 13,911 people have been tested for COVID-19 in the UK, of which 13,860 have been confirmed negative.

51 have been confirmed as positive.

The UK chief medical officers have recently raised the risk of coronavirus to the public from low to moderate.

The symptoms of the virus are a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath, but possessing these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have the illness.

The latest statement from Public Health England reads: "Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in December 2019.

"Public Health England is working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus.

"The UK government is monitoring the situation in China and around the world."

Every act announced so far for Glastonbury Festival 2020

Diana Ross

Diana Ross was the first major act to be confirmed for Glastonbury Festival 2020 in October 2019 - and it will be her first ever appearance at the event.

She will fill the traditional "legends slot" on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday, June 28.

The former member of the Supremes said it was "a dream come true" to play at the festival.

The legends slot is becoming an increasing honour at Glastonbury after Kylie Minogue's performance in the same slot at the 2019 festival became the most-viewed Glastonbury performance ever on the BBC, while Lionel Richie's performance in 2015 also proved a major hit.

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney was the first headliner confirmed for Glastonbury Festival 2020 in November 2019 - and he will return for his second Pyramid Stage performance.

The former Beatle will take centre stage on the Pyramid on the Saturday night at the event.

After the announcement, festival organiser Emily Eavis said: "I'm so excited... Having Paul McCartney coming back to headline the Pyramid next year is an absolute dream come true.

"There really was no one that we wanted more for the 50th anniversary."

Paul McCartney added: "Hey Glasto - excited to be part of your anniversary celebrations. See ya next summer."

He will become the oldest performer to headline Glastonbury Festival by some distance when he tops the bill next June.

The singer will step onto the Pyramid Stage a week after his 78th birthday and take the "oldest headliner" crown from Charlie Watts, the Rolling Stones drummer, who was 72 when he performed with the band in 2013.

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Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift was the second headliner to be announced for Glastonbury 2020 in December 2019.

The American pop star will close the festival with a headline performance on the Pyramid stage on Sunday night.

In her first appearance at Worthy Farm, Taylor Swift will be the first female solo headliner since Adele in 2016.

The singer tweeted: "I'm ecstatic to tell you that I'll be headlining Glastonbury on its 50th anniversary – See you there!"

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Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis said in a video posted on Twitter: "I'm so pleased to announce Taylor Swift will be headlining the Sunday at Glastonbury 2020.

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"She's one of the biggest stars in the world and her songs are absolutely amazing. We're so delighted."

Festival co-organiser Emily Eavis added: "Taylor is one of the biggest and best artists on the planet, and we’re just so pleased that she’s coming here to Worthy Farm to join us for our fiftieth birthday celebrations."