‘Green’ light at the end of the tunnel for entertainment sector

In a major step forward for the entertainment sector, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that outdoor events, parties, round robins, corporate mixers, and handover and groundbreaking ceremonies will be allowed to make applications for permits.

Small outdoor events will be limited to up to 100 persons in total, including organisers and support personnel. The number of persons for indoor events (those held in a covered space with controlled entry) is restricted to no more than 60 per cent of the venue's capacity.

Meanwhile, indoor theatres and cinemas will be allowed to open with a sized-based capacity limitation - one person for every 40 square feet or 70 per cent of the seated capacity, whichever is lower. For the drive-in cinema, vehicles should carry no more than the number it is registered to carry.

Last week Palace Amusement Company (1921) Limited reopened its New Kingston Drive-In and is looking forward to turning on the screens of the Carib 5 and Sunshine Palace cinemas in the coming week. Melanie Graham, the marketing manager, said: “We’re cautiously excited about reopening our cinemas and just in time for summer. Thanks to those who made it possible and also to our loyal patrons who have stuck with us at every turn. We look forward to welcoming them back to our safe environment.”

In addition to the new measures, which will take effect on July 1, Holness emphasised that the risk of a third COVID-19 wave remains ever-present. “It is not a time to become complacent as we move to the next phase of the management of the virus. We will have to be even more vigilant about observing the protocols and keeping ourselves and each other safe.

We are not where we would like to be from a public health perspective,” the prime minister said, noting that the positivity rate is still higher than five per cent and that only a small percentage of the population is vaccinated. However, Holness also believes the industry has the potential to emerge stronger and that the new measures will “allow almost a full return of the business capacity to quick service industries and start the phasing in of entertainment”.

The Government is organising an event at the Port Royal Cruise Terminal for July 1 to celebrate International Reggae Day and to mark the reopening. Kamal Bankay, chairman of Dream Entertainment, has already said they hope to stage Dream Weekend in Negril later this summer and the team is reviewing their model to make it work with the newly outlined protocols and intends to submit a proposal in short order.

“What we see happening here is we have been handed an olive branch,” he said about the new measures and adjustments that have been made. The Government has instituted a 50 per cent discount on event permits and licences and larger events utilising venues under the management of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport will have the rental fees waived though operating charges will apply.

Bankay said that the latter is a solution to ease the burden for large-scale events like concerts and festivals such as Fun In The Son, Rebel Salute and Reggae Sumfest. “Of course, we will all have to make special applications for all protocols, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, we are seeing it, we have been told about it, and we know what to do. I am just really happy that we have an opportunity to operate and more so that small events have the ability to apply and get permits, as that actually occupies 70 per cent of events in Jamaica,” he said.

While Bankay is pleased that the call for the reopening of the sector has been answered, he is heeding the prime minister’s warning to the sector. “Ultimately, I have a latent fear that there are persons that do not obey protocols and it causes a spike, and it results in a shutdown of the events industry, so I am imploring all colleagues to continue playing their part as responsible citizens. We have to carefully manage ourselves,” he said.

Denton Atkins, president of the Clarendon Promoters Association, shared the same sentiment. “Us promoters are feeling relieved and vindicated, if I may, with entertainment’s phased reopening becoming a reality for the summer because we have been suffering for lack of a good word, for over a year. Several colleagues have already been texting for clarity with all that was announced, and I have been playing my part by reaching out to the superintendent of Clarendon for information on designated areas for events and when we can start applying for permits,” Atkins said.

“Now, it has been announced that we can legally be given permits for a reasonable limit of 100 persons. We understand there will be a need for us to put some sort of control system in place to make sure we get it right, and not slip up as well as to avoid the bomb rush to submit applications. We have continuously said that we will always abide and so, we will abide by the new protocols and take the necessary safety measures,” he continued.

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com