Now that the entertainment industry has been re-opened, with some restrictions still in place, there are those who worry over the potential for another spike in COVID-19 cases that would put strain on an only just recovering medical fraternity. But there are those who are suggesting that any coincidence between any potential spike and partygoers must be taken as just that, bearing in mind there have been other spikes that have taken place when the industry was firmly closed.

Published July 9, 2021

PARTY PUSHBACK

Don’t scapegoat entertainment if COVID surges, says promoter

Nadine Wilson-Harris/Senior Staff Reporter

A HIGH-PROFILE party promoter has warned critics flagging emerging breaches of safety regulations at parties not to blame the entertainment sector if COVID-19 infections surge.

Already, videos have started to circulate of maskless patrons huddled together at parties as they enjoy the new-found freedom occasioned by the July 1 lifting of a ban that virtually shut down the entertainment industry.

But Kamal Bankay, chairman of the board of Dream Entertainment Limited, has scoffed at the suggestion that the flouting of COVID19 protocols at events should automatically be blamed for a spike that might pause the planned resumption of face-to-face classes in September.

“There are many different factors in the ecosystem, but ultimately, one thing does not automatically equate to another thing. You can’t assume that because these persons are dancing without a mask, you extrapolate way down the road and say school can’t open. That is a very unfair assessment,” he said.

Bankay charged that Jamaica has had spikes even when the entertainment industry was shut down.

It could take another three to five weeks to determine whether there has been any adverse impact on local COVID-19 figures stemming from the recent opening up of the entertainment sector and, ultimately, whether Jamaicans will have to again relinquish some freedoms during the Emancipation and Independence holidays.

Portfolio Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said that the Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to provide epidemiological data and that Cabinet will ultimately determine the way forward.

“The truth is, if Jamaicans decide not to obey and do contrary to what the protocol suggests, it is very difficult, and what will ultimately happen is that we will reap the reward on the back end of a surge, which may require further restrictions,” he said.

The entertainment and creative sector was locked down shortly after the onset of COVID19 here in March 2020.

In a statement to the House of

Representatives on June 22, Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged stakeholders in the entertainment sector, and Jamaicans in general, to exercise personal responsibility in observing health protocols. He warned that a third spike, over the summer, could negatively impact the Government’s plans to have face-to-face classes in September.

Rogue party promoters have hosted scores of events illegally since March 2020, drawing the ire of the police and the Ministry of Local Government.

Plans are underway to host the popular Dream Weekend between August 5 and 9, but Bankay said he is awaiting approval from several government agencies reviewing applications.

The Government, said Bankay, would ultimately determine how many patrons would be accommodated at the event.

The businessman believes that arise in cases and hospital admissions will ultimately affect not only events, but also certain workplaces.

President of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation, David Wan, said the reopening of the entertainment industry was a risk worth taking. He referred to the United Kingdom’s removal of a host of COVID-19 regulations despite a surge in the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

“Every action you take, there are some risks. If you hadn’t opened it up, you run the risk of some people out there dying from hunger because they don’t go out to work, or their establishments close because they can’t stay alive,” Wan said.

Tufton said the Government was awaiting equipment to test for the Delta variant but disclosed that 100 samples are randomly collected and dispatched every week to one of three locations for testing.

“We do recognise that there is a distinct risk, and indeed, we think that it will eventually get here based on the freedom of movement between countries that have the variant,” he said.

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