Gov’t cautious in reopening entertainment sector

Players in the entertainment space have been told that it will “take some time” for the full reopening of the sector, even as the Government signals that it will begin considering proposals for its restart.

The entertainment sector is estimated to have suffered a hit in excess of $26 billion since it was locked down in March to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, said that he is mindful of the importance of entertainment, but stressed that the Government has to find the right policies to ensure its reopening.

“We want to get you up and running but we want to do it safely,” Holness said, adding that the committee dealing with COVID-related matters will start the examination of the sector this Friday.

He said that the aim is to reopen some entertainment venues in July. “We will now give some focus to looking at the protocols and some of the proposals and suggestions,” he said. “We would be looking seriously at the industry to see how we can see to its reopening in a safe way for everyone. It will take some time. I am not here telling you next week, or the week after, but we will start the process.”

Meanwhile, the National Surveillance Unit in the Ministry of Health and Wellness yesterday announced two new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number to 698, and one additional patient who recovered and was released from isolation, bringing that total to 553.