Eric Clapton has postponed two concerts after contracting Covid-19.
A statement on Clapton's website posted on Monday revealed the guitarist had contracted Covid-19 after his second performance at London's Royal Albert Hall on 8 May.
Clapton postponed his Zurich show on Tuesday and Milan gig on Wednesday "after intensive internal discussion", the statement reads.
"(Eric) has been told by his medical advisors that if he were to resume travelling and performing too soon, it could substantially delay his full recovery. Eric is also anxious to avoid passing on any infection to any of his band, crew, promoters, their staff and of course, the fans," the statement reads. "It has been decided with great regret and apologies to all those concerned to postpone the performances... the present hope being to be able to resume the tour starting with the concerts in Bologna on 20th and 21st May."
No new dates for Clapton's Zurich or Milan concerts have been announced, though the statement notes they would be "within the next six months". Milan and Zurich tickets purchased will remain valid for the new dates.
The statement added, "It is very frustrating that having avoided COVID throughout lockdown and throughout the period when travel restrictions have been in place Eric should have succumbed to COVID at this point in time, but we very much hope he will be sufficiently recovered by the end of the week to be able to perform the remainder of the planned performances."
The 77-year-old rocker has been critical of coronavirus vaccines and lockdown measures amid the pandemic and previously vowed to not perform at venues which required fans to show proof of vaccination.
