Event organisers still unsure about Haywire

There is still tremendous uncertainty and concern among local event producers about inconsistencies and unanswered questions about the application of the most recent COVID-19 protocols especially as it relates to local and other events like Haywire.

Barbados TODAY understands that even after last week’s meetings with Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, Minister of Tourism and International Transport Senator Lisa Cummins and the Minister of Culture John King, there are still no real answers about the controversial Haywire Weekend event which will reportedly draw several hundreds to select shores for multiple days of festivities.

Acknowledging that the saga may have opened the door for locals to host events, some industry officials are still upset about the continued lack of transparency on Haywire, which is hosted by an overseas promoter.

During last week’s discussions, the locals claimed that authorities were side-stepping their main concerns about the event that is slated for the weekend of July 4th, as they stressed the need for tourist dollars for the country’s economic recovery.

“Haywire seems to be a ticklish thing, because all the decision-makers are saying they know nothing about Haywire. It is not a subject that people want to touch, so you cannot have a discussion about it, because everybody believes it is not an event that is really happening. They are not telling you outright that it is happening,” one respected promoter told Barbados TODAY.

During a recent interview, Minister King stressed that his ministry had not engaged in any discussions with Haywire, adding that the country’s COVID-19 protocols would be fairly enforced.

“That point was made explicitly in the meeting and they know that. Health and everybody told them the same thing. There is not one set of protocols for one set of people and another set of protocols for another set. The protocols are the protocols for everybody,” the culture minister declared.

“I don’t know who Haywire is, I don’t know anything about Haywire. I don’t know who the principals are, or how they think. They are not in my world. I don’t know them. I would love to be able to tell you how they think, what made them put out the [advertisement]. I would love to, but I would have to be a magician to do that and I am no magician,” he further stressed.

As recently as last week, the event’s organisers posted videos that portray persons engaging in revelry. They, however, have not responded to Barbados TODAY requests for comment.

While local event producers continue to stress that they have no intention of either stifling the efforts of their overseas counterparts, or preventing economic activity, they say the problem of enfranchisement appears to be a major concern.

“Take for instance, the Dreamchaser can’t sail, but all of the catamarans can. All of the catamarans can sail with 75 or 50 persons or 75 per cent of their capacity. The Dreamchaser is another boat with a larger capacity, but can’t sail,” said another cruise promoter.

Over the weekend, the Prime Minister announced an end to overnight curfews and revealed that events of 150 patrons would be permitted.

Barbados TODAY also understands that party cruise operators have most recently been advised of the possibility of registering their vessels as bars or restaurants and accommodating patrons at the dockside only.
(kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)