Elvis has left the pandemic. Plans for the week-long celebration of the King of Rock and Roll on the 43rd anniversary of his death have been shaken up by the new coronavirus, but organizers are forging ahead with a combination of in-person and online events at Graceland next month.

Fans will still be allowed to gather for an in-person vigil at Graceland to cap Elvis Week, scheduled this year for Aug. 8-16 in Memphis, Tennessee, where Presley lived, but they’ll have to make reservations ahead of time, stand two metres apart and follow other virus-related safety guidelines if they want to attend the vigil and walk past Presley’s grave.

Besides the candlelight vigil, some in-person, pre-recorded events will be offered during the week. But other potentially “high-risk” events — live performances, group parties, autograph signings and meet-and-greets — have been eliminated, Graceland said.

Instead, fans will be invited to participate in Elvis Week events in a closed Facebook group that requires a paid ticket to enter. Virtual events will include past Elvis Week concerts and panels, new interviews with bandmates and friends, and a look at previous candlelight vigils.

“As the COVID pandemic continues to evolve and health officials learn more about high-risk activities, we must evolve with them,” Graceland stated.

A full schedule of events for the week will be released soon.

Presley died on Aug. 16, 1977. Since then, devotees of the late singer and actor have flocked to Graceland, his former home-turned museum, to honor Presley on the anniversary of his death.

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