The Ministry of Health’s decision to relax the COVID-19 protocols for Crop Over events has been warmly welcomed, especially by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) who were advocating for an ease on behalf of the sector.
Over the weekend, Minister of Health Ian Gooding-Edghill announced the end of COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for social and sporting activities.
While the mask mandate remains in effect for indoor activities, it is still optional for outdoors, and the distance of three feet and sanitisation continue at all venues.
When contacted by Barbados TODAY, Chief executive officer of the NCF, Carol Roberts-Reifer, thanked Minister Gooding-Edgehill and his ministry for their support of the Foundation’s efforts towards a safe festival.
“At every juncture where I needed to write and, or speak with him or his team including the COVID monitoring Unit Ronald Chapman and the team, I was always assured of advice that was timely for the moment and the state we were in as a country.
She explained: “So, a couple of weeks ago when we began looking at what the last couple weeks of the festival would look like, those discussions began and I am very, very pleased to see that they have borne fruit.
“I would want to publicly commit to continuing to consult with and be guided by the Ministry of Health because, while the protocols have been greatly relaxed the pandemic is still very much a part of our lives not just in Barbados but globally.
Acknowledging the need for continued caution, Roberts-Reifer urged persons to take individual responsibility to ensure a successful festival for all.
“It requires an individual response as we go about our business, where whether we are jumping in a band or we are going to a fete, or just going to work as usual, that we are even more mindful of our responsibility as individuals to take care of ourselves. By doing that, by being cautious, by still sanitising, we not only keep ourselves safe but our loved ones as well,” she said.
The annual Crop Over festival, a major revenue-earner for the local economy, has been dormant for the last two years due to the COVID pandemic with some stakeholders hoping that previously sluggish sales will now take off with the announcement.
Many events have reportedly been struggling to generate tickets sales based on a perceived hesitancy to restrictive protocols.
Promoter and Chocolate Army band leader Jason Parris, whose numbers for Foreday Pun Water cruise earlier this month were affected by the protocols, was pleased by the decision.
Noting that people in many quarters of society, from the sno-cone vendors to entertainers are heavily dependent on Crop Over revenue to stay afloat, he was glad the requirements were relaxed.
However, Parris stressed the need for persons enjoying the festivities to do so safely, taking responsibility for their sanitation. He made it clear that they will continue to pay close attention to this with the distribution of sanitizers and anti-bacterial wipes at all Chocolate Army events.
“I want people to be very mindful and don’t drop their guard fully. You still have to be smart in how you operate during this time. If you’re living by yourself that’s alright but if you’re home with old granny you need to be careful,” he said.
Colorz Entertainment band owner Bryan Worrell, while noting that testing was a deterrent for some revellers, acknowledged that other social and economic issues might also be a hindrance. For this reason, he said, some band leaders are looking for cost-cutting measures which would entice people to take part in the festival.
“We have to look at it broadly, there are a number of things contributing to persons not coming out to jump. I’m not sure if it is still predominantly due to COVID or if its that the routes as not ideal, but we are trying what we can to try to make the experience as best as we can with what we have to work with.
“There are things that will be announced soon to be added to the Foreday experience, for example, to make it a little more convenient for persons to be able to get to the routes,” he revealed.
Worrell too, encouraged Barbadians to guard against complacency in the fetes.
“I don’t think the move is to say that COVID is over. I think that we will still practise good hygiene the best that we can. I don’t think that masks will disappear right away or I don’t think that sanitiser will disappear right away either. We still have to try to protect ourselves the best way we can.
“The testing, the protocols for me were flawed from the beginning so removing them should have been done ever since,” the bandleader added. (KC)
