Mayor Scott has proposal for reopening of entertainment sector

Mayor of Spanish Town Norman Scott has put forward what he described as a common-sense proposal for the opening up of the island’s entertainment sector.

Scott, who has been a staunch advocate for the reopening of the sector, which has been in lockdown for close to two years, said that with the continued downward trend in cases of COVID 19 infections, there is no reason why the sector has to remain closed. He noted that adequate measures can be introduced to protect patrons from widespread infection.

“The Government should put the responsibility on the promoters, in an era where there is a rapid COVID-19 test available. They should ensure that promoters absorb the cost of the tests for the patrons who will attend their events, and make it a criterion for entrance that patrons submit themselves to the rapid COVID-19 test and must return a negative result to be admissible to events,” Scott proposed.

He said this could be administered by Ministry of Health personnel and the local health department, to ensure that the protocols are still being observed and promoters don’t disregard the measures.

The mayor observed that while he is supportive of the announcement of designated entertainment zones by Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange, the designation of the old JamWorld complex as the only entertainment zone for St Catherine is inadequate, given the dependence on entertainment events by people in the parish.

ENTERTAINMENT ZONES

“In addition, there should be one in Old Harbour and one in Ewarton; so the western, eastern, and northern flanks of the parish would have their own space,” the mayor noted, adding that he would personally have discussions with Minister Grange on the issue.

Grange, at a recent sitting of the Finance Committee of Parliament, disclosed that consideration is being given to the establishment of entertainment zones in different parts of the island. She indicated that her ministry has been granted permission to take control of the neglected JamWorld entertainment complex in Portmore, where she hopes to establish an entertainment Zone.

The mayor’s optimism about his proposal is also predicated on the success of the St Catherine Health Department’s management of the fourth wave of the Omicron outbreak in the parish.

The department revealed last Thursday that as of March 9, active cases of COVID 19 infections in the parish stood at 32. This represents a drastic decline after seeing the highest number of 5,627 for any month that occurred in January, and the highest daily rate of 409 recorded on January 16. Currently, the daily rate of infections stands at five.