Parties get green light July 21

Several subsectors in the entertainment industry are to reopen in another week’s time.

Sports bars can reopen as early as July 21, but operators must first get approval from the local authorities as well as a certificate of safety.

Nightclubs will, however, remain closed.

Desmond McKenzie, local government minister, told Parliament on Tuesday that a decision has been made to allow small outdoor events to be held.

Small concerts and parties, round robins, launches, religious celebrations, and festivals are all categorised as outdoor events.

Approved venues will be allowed to operate between July 21 and July 31, the minister said.

No event should be held without a permit and applications to the municipal corporations must offer details on addresses, approximate size, a recent picture, and the proposed layout of the venue.

The local government minister, in outlining the measures for the restart of certain areas within the entertainment industry, said that all events must end at least one hour before the start of the 11 p.m. curfew.

No more than 280 persons can gather for an event.

McKenzie said that there should be a maximum of 250 patrons and 30 production personnel, including staff.

Under the new protocols, McKenzie said, operators will be mandated to erect signage and place markings on the floor to ensure patrons observe established distancing protocols.

With the onset of COVID-19 earlier this year, the entertainment industry, like many others, was shuttered under the Disaster Risk Management Act to contain the disease.

The entertainment industry players estimate that billions of dollars have been lost from coronavirus-triggered closures.