The Barbados Association of Event Professionals (BAEP) and the Entertainment Association of Barbados (EAB) on Monday issued a joint press statement regarding the “surge” in COVID-19 cases and the events sector.
During a recent press conference, Government officials identified a Boxing Day bus crawl as a “super spreader” event of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Since then, cases have spiked and clusters have been identified which were not linked to the bus crawl. The spike has affected some businesses and Her Majesty’s Prisons Dodds.
The statement said the EAB and the BAEP together represent the wide cross-section of people who work directly and indirectly in the creative economy, that is, the arts, events and entertainment sector.
“In light of the national dialogue surrounding recent events in the island, we deem it both prudent and obligatory for the events and entertainment industry to articulate our position. We in no way endorse the staging of social activities which are not sanctioned by the Covid-19 Monitoring Unit or that fail to ensure that patrons follow the COVID-19 event protocols.
“Indeed, as key economic stakeholders, we have painstakingly worked with the Unit in the development and dissemination of events protocol since July 2020, encouraging our members to comply with safety regulations. Over the past 5 months, encouraged by Government, our members have successfully staged Covid-19 compliant events, within set limits and restrictions, without incidence.
“It is against this background that the EAB and the BAEP find it considerably regrettable that following the revelation of an increase in the local spread of the pandemic, the Government felt it prudent to use the unfortunate infection of patrons who attended a Boxing Day ‘Bus Crawl’, to cast blame in the events and entertainment industry and nullify our long-standing efforts to operate safely in a COVID-19 environment.
The statement said the ”hasty labelling of the event as a ‘super-spreader’ by the Government and the indefinite banning of the event style was a concern.
EAB and BAEP were also concerned by the “apparent lack of adherence to the basic protocol of wearing of masks, as was revealed in the unconfirmed footage and photos of many events and activities which are currently circulating digital media”.
Other concerns were outlined as: Protocols for visitors coming from high-risk countries, “particularly at a time of the year that is one of our most socially active – Christmas and new year celebrations”; and delays in test results, coupled with some visitors breaching protocols.
“We are confident that had the producer, the bus company or patrons been aware of the inherent risk, the bus crawl would have been postponed or cancelled. In the absence of timely communication, local spread was the result,” the statement said.
“The reluctance by Government to acknowledge culpability in the face of such breaches on any other sector other than the events and entertainment sector, in the form of bans and fines, is unfortunate.
“The constant berating . . . by Government results in an unjustified public perception that impacts negatively on our businesses . . . . we have been one of the hardest hit by the negative impact of the global pandemic. It has affected our ability to conduct business, to create employment for thousands of people, and to provide for our families.
“It is our hope that our partners in the tourism industry, venues and food and beverage establishments, will join us in . . . working closely with COVVID-19 Monitoring Unit in seeking to conduct business in a safe environment for everyone without incident.
“We look forward to the establishing of a direct strategic dialogue and participation with the social partnership . . . . We are ready to do what is necessary to move past this current setback, and to help to rebuild the economy and maintain the safe ‘bubble’ that makes Barbados a successful pandemic management model and attractive destination.
The statements also said that despite the concerns outlined, the groups commended Government on their response to the pandemic. (PR)
