Promoter wants ‘WORTHWHILE INCENTIVE’ after latest lockdown
In response to the rising COVID-19 numbers, on July 26, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the implementation of tighter curfew measures, following a much-anticipated freeing up of the entertainment sector weeks earlier.
On August 9, the noose was tightened further with a decree that, effective today, August 11, no small or large entertainment event would be permitted and a padlock would be placed on nightclubs and places of amusement.
Two weeks ago, the Entertainment Advisory Board issued a release calling for balance and stating that the upsurge in COVID positive cases should not be blamed on the sector.
For curfew and restrictionsweary promote rs like Winston ‘Wee Pow’ Powell, the daily grind is nothing short of stressful and he is making a plea for the Government to throw a sensible incentive in the path of the players in the entertainment sector. “We understand that the virus is out there, and lockdown is necessary, but the entertainment
“We understand that the virus is out there, and lockdown is necessary, but the entertainment sector just cannot be left out like that. There has to be some kind of incentive that is worthwhile.”
sector just cannot be left out like that. There has to be some kind of incentive that is worthwhile. Dem have to bruk the bread now and share it, even if it mean that dem have to shave off some of fi dem salary,” he said.
EXPRESSED SYMPATHY
Powell was just beginning to build back the weekly Weddy Weddy Wednesdays series at his Burlington Avenue headquarters, and had designed the venue to ensure social distancing and other protocols were in place. Now it is lockdown mode again, making “a small change” off a bar that was opened on the premises during the pandemic. Quizzed if the various entertainment affiliated groups have done a good job of looking out for the sector, he expressed sympathy for them. “The organisations within the entertainment fraternity have been so ignored throughout this pandemic, that it is no wonder that it appears as if they have stopped talking,” he stated.
Sumfest promoter Joe Bogdanovich declared that his team would have been ready to go with the press of a button, but, with the goalpost constantly moving, there is hardly a thought for Reggae Sumfest 2021.
“We are in a huge pandemic that looks worse than last year and the prime minister has to take the necessary action. Reggae Sumfest is a summer event and the summer is almost over,” pointed out Bogdanovich, who insists that the vaccine is the best way forward. But the Downsound Entertainment CEO has a plan.
“We have something else in mind, using a different platform. It’s different from Sumfest, but it is coming from the producers of Reggae Sumfest, so you know it’s going to be hot. We have all the artistes and we are looking at a one-night event, perhaps in December,” he said.