diff --git a/src/backend/apps/event/tasks.py b/src/backend/apps/event/tasks.py
index c6dea9edf..2b35264fe 100644
--- a/src/backend/apps/event/tasks.py
+++ b/src/backend/apps/event/tasks.py
@@ -63,9 +63,9 @@ def populate_event_from_data(new_event_data):
         event_serializer.save()
 
 
-def populate_all_event_data():
+def populate_all_event_data(include_closures=True):
     client = FeedClient()
-    closures = client.get_closures_dict()
+    closures = client.get_closures_dict() if include_closures else {}
     feed_data = client.get_event_list()['events']
 
     active_event_ids = []
@@ -83,10 +83,10 @@ def populate_all_event_data():
         except Exception as e:
             logger.warning(e)
 
-    # Mark events absent in the feed as inactive
+    # Purge events absent in the feed
     Event.objects.filter(status=EVENT_STATUS.ACTIVE)\
         .exclude(id__in=active_event_ids)\
-        .update(status=EVENT_STATUS.INACTIVE)
+        .delete()
 
     # Rebuild cache
     cache.delete(CacheKey.EVENT_LIST)
diff --git a/src/backend/apps/event/tests/test_event_populate.py b/src/backend/apps/event/tests/test_event_populate.py
index b674bd6c2..cbbe9b4b1 100644
--- a/src/backend/apps/event/tests/test_event_populate.py
+++ b/src/backend/apps/event/tests/test_event_populate.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ def test_populate_and_update_event(self, mock_requests_get):
             MockResponse(self.mock_updated_event_feed_result, status_code=200),
         ]
 
-        populate_all_event_data()
+        populate_all_event_data(include_closures=False)
         assert Event.objects.count() == 5
 
         event_id_list = sorted(Event.objects.all().order_by("id")
@@ -118,15 +118,14 @@ def test_populate_and_update_event(self, mock_requests_get):
         assert event.direction == EVENT_DIRECTION.NONE
 
         # Second call with one missing event
-        populate_all_event_data()
+        populate_all_event_data(include_closures=False)
 
         assert Event.objects.filter(status=EVENT_STATUS.ACTIVE).count() == 4
-        assert Event.objects.filter(status=EVENT_STATUS.INACTIVE).count() == 1
-        assert Event.objects.get(id="drivebc.ca/DBC-28386").status \
-               == EVENT_STATUS.INACTIVE
+        # Inactive events are deleted
+        assert Event.objects.filter(id="drivebc.ca/DBC-28386").count() == 0
 
         # Third call with updated data
-        populate_all_event_data()
+        populate_all_event_data(include_closures=False)
         # Not updated due to same updated datetime
         assert Event.objects.get(id="drivebc.ca/DBC-46014").route_from \
                != "Updated Rd"
@@ -142,7 +141,7 @@ def test_populate_event_with_validation_error(self, mock_requests_get):
         ]
 
         # Only cams with validation error(DBC-46014) are omitted
-        populate_all_event_data()
+        populate_all_event_data(include_closures=False)
         assert Event.objects.count() == 4
 
         event_id_list = sorted(Event.objects.all().values_list("id", flat=True))
diff --git a/src/backend/apps/event/tests/test_event_serializer.py b/src/backend/apps/event/tests/test_event_serializer.py
index bf5867577..27f13c63f 100644
--- a/src/backend/apps/event/tests/test_event_serializer.py
+++ b/src/backend/apps/event/tests/test_event_serializer.py
@@ -67,14 +67,14 @@ def setUp(self):
         self.serializer_two = EventSerializer(self.event_two)
 
     def test_serializer_data(self):
-        assert len(self.serializer.data) == 19
+        assert len(self.serializer.data) == 20
         # route_from beings with 'at '
         assert self.serializer.data['route_display'] == \
                "Test Road to Test Avenue"
         assert self.serializer.data['direction_display'] == \
                "Northbound"
 
-        assert len(self.serializer_two.data) == 19
+        assert len(self.serializer_two.data) == 20
         # route_from doesn't being with 'at '
         assert self.serializer_two.data['route_display'] == \
                "Test Road Two to Test Avenue Two"