In a blow to the region’s music lovers, country legend Patty Griffin has cancelled her concert at the Lismore City Hall tonight fearing she would not be able to return home because of coronavirus precautions.

The award-winning singer said she and her band were “unable to feel secure about getting back through our (US) borders the longer we delay” due to the Trump administration’s tightening entry because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Griffin gave a statement to her fans via City Hall starting “G’day y’all”, and saying “I hate to do it but it seems to make the most sense that we shorten our Australia and New Zealand tour and head back to the US on Friday morning”.

She said she was also concerned about “the loved ones back home who worry and we worry for them”.

"We know that Australia and New Zealand have been so proactive in protecting (their) people against Covid-19. We've felt honestly that we have been in the best hands in the world while traveling through these past few weeks.

"I'm so honoured to have been given the opportunity to come back to this beautiful land. Over and over again our experiences here have been nothing short of healing, enlightening and magical.

"Thank you to all who came to the shows in Australia. And our apologies to those we missed – so disappointed to not get to Lismore and Auckland, as we had been looking forward to that for a long while. Hopefully, one day the opportunity will be there again.

"I've enjoyed the great warmth and humour of many here. Makes everything worthwhile. Thank you for caring for us so well Australia. We are honoured to have been your guests. Take good care. Much love."

Griffin, described as a singer “with a spark that can ignite songs into brushfires of truth”, was due to play tomorrow night in Brisbane before the final Australasian concert in Auckland.

Ticketholders will be contacted and fully refunded.