Photo by Bill Kelly

Eric Clapton, who was an outspoken skeptic of vaccines and a critic of lockdown safety percussions, has postponed two European tour dates after he tested positive for COVID-19.

“Eric Clapton is unfortunately suffering from COVID having tested positive shortly after the second concert at the Royal Albert Hall,” his representatives shared in a statement on his website whereiseric.com. “He 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 went on to specify that Clapton will postpone his performances set for Zurich, Switzerland on May 17 and Milan, Italy on May 18. The dates are expected to be rescheduled and performed within the next six months.

Clapton, 77 years old, has been vaccinated at least one time, though after his initial dose he said he experienced “severe reactions which lasted ten days,” and that his, “hands and feet were either frozen, numb or burning, and pretty much useless for two weeks.” He went on to say, “I feared I would never play again, (I suffer with peripheral neuropathy and should never have gone near the needle.) But the propaganda said the vaccine was safe for everyone.”

Since then, he teamed up with Van Morrison and created an anti-lockdown anthem titled “Stand and Deliver” which received much criticism. Additionally, he made claims that people worrying about dying from the virus were suffering from “COVID Anxiety Syndrome.”

Many of his peers including Brian May and Keith Richards directly or indirectly pleaded with Clapton to curb his arduous, futile and embarrassing stance, but he persisted – much like the virus itself.

Read more about Clapton and COVID-19 here.