TORONTO — The 42nd Oberammergau ‘Passion Play’, originally scheduled for May 16, 2020, will be postponed until 2022, according to The German National Tourist Board.

The Administrative District Office of Garmisch-Partenkirchen made the decision to delay the ‘Passion Play’, which has been performed once a decade since the 1600s, to protect the health of guests and participants.

In a statement, the district explained that at this stage, due to the high risk of infections over a prolonged period of time, 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 preventative health point of view, the event should therefore be prohibited,” read the statement.

The ‘Passion Play’ goes back to a vow made in 1633. At that time, the people of Oberammergau vowed to perform the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ, if no one died of the plague anymore.

Plans to perform the ‘Passion Play’ in 2022 are currently beginning. The premiere is scheduled for May 21, 2022. Further performance dates will be announced at a later date.