Plans afoot to fly the entertainment gate - Sector now represented in economic-recovery plan
Published:Sunday | June 14, 2020 | 12:21 AMYasmine Peru - Senior Sunday Gleaner Writer
It is certainly no secret that Jamaica’s entertainment offerings provide a major source of income for players internally and, along with culture, sports, and food, play a key role in strongly establishing the island’s identity both in the region and on the world stage. The COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a lockdown of the creative industries – among others – has left an estimated 40,000 employees and sole traders languishing on the stay-at-home list.
Amid calls for a phased reopening, entertainment remains one of the few industries still affected by the restrictions that are aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. The Government continues its limitations on gatherings, while places of amusement, sports bars, nightclubs, and sporting venues have closure orders in effect. Additionally, permits for the staging of entertainment events have been on hold since March 11. However, reports that will no doubt be music to the ears of the players have surfaced. There seems to be a bright light shining in the tunnel following far-reaching discussions about flying the entertainment gate and, equally important, indications that the industry is being recognised with official representation in Jamaica’s economic recovery plan.
EFFORTS TO RESTRUCTURE INDUSTRY
In the ongoing efforts to structure a reopening plan for the entertainment industry, a meeting was held on June 5 with the high-powered COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force. In attendance were Howard McIntosh, chairman of the Entertainment Advisory Board (EAB); Kamal Bankay, chairman of the Sports and Entertainment Network in the Ministry of Tourism; and Joe Bogdanovich, CEO of Downsound Entertainment, producers of Reggae Sumfest. The delegation was led by Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange.
“As the world acts towards the slow reopening of economies after the COVID-19 pandemic, plans for the reopening of Jamaica’s entertainment industry are also being made,” Howard McIntosh said when contacted by The Sunday Gleaner.
He confirmed that the meeting with the task force was, in fact, held but was tight-lipped on other major details. “What I can say is, from what transpired, fulsome discussions were had, and the proposals put on the table were all well received. The task force’s response regarding the reopening of the industry is expected within a week or two,” was all he would disclose.
According to Bankay, the entertainment industry’s reopening was “fully ventilated”. Known for his passion about all things entertainment, whatever the genre and regardless of where the player falls on the totem pole, Bankay added, “The economic value of the cultural industries, employment within industries, and proposed phased reopening protocols were all showcased. We stand ready to work closely with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport; Ministry of Tourism; Ministry of National Security; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Local Government; and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, who all oversee and regulate various parts of the cultural, entertainment, and sports industries.”
McIntosh and Bankay also hinted that the discussions are fostering a greater relationship between the Government and the private sector in regards to the industry.
The COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force was established by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in April to come up with plans for the gradual reopening of the economy. It comprises “leaders and thinkers from academia and industry”, but up to recently, there was no representation for the entertainment industry. The 21-member task force is chaired by Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke, and members include Keith Duncan, president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica; Nadeen Spence, gender activist; Professor Alwyn Wint, member of the National Partnership Mechanism; and Donovan Wignall, president of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Alliance.