ELECTRONIC TICKETING ONLY!
McKenzie says no deviation from purchasing system for World Cup qualifier
Published:Tuesday | November 2, 2021 | 12:10 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
LOCAL GOVERNMENT Minister Desmond McKenzie says that there will be no planned deviation from the electronic system for patrons, which will serve as the primary medium to purchase tickets for Jamaica’s Concacaf World Cup qualifier against the United States.
McKenzie was speaking at a press conference yesterday, announcing the roll-out of procedures for the November 16 clash at the National Stadium, with a limited number of fully vaccinated fans in attendance.
The Event Authorised System app was also launched, which, as of tomorrow, will allow fans to purchase their tickets on a first-come, first-served basis, with proof of vaccination required before being given a 48-hour window to purchase their tickets once approved.
Tickets can be purchased using the Ticket Fairy, an electronic ticketing system, at a cost of $7,700 for the Grandstand and $2,000 for the bleachers.
While Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President, Michael Ricketts, said that physical locations would be proposed to assist with those encountering problems registering, McKenzie maintained that no paper tickets would be issued as an alternative.
“We are not going to alter whatever position as it relates to registering online. So what the JFF is doing is not secondary to the process. It’s to offer advice and to assist persons who have challenges in accessing or understanding the application process. We want to make that clear - that there are no ticket outlets,” McKenzie said.
The Government, last Thursday, approved a maximum of 5,000 fans to watch the game, which will be the first major sporting event at the venue hosting spectators since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grandstand seating will be open to 1,000 persons and the bleachers have been restricted to 4,000.
Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said that the 5,000 limit was not just based on the ability to guarantee social distancing, but noted that it was an acceptable total to test the electronic system, which will authorise tickets on a first-come, first-served based.
“The 5,000 is a function of a decision around the pilot stage of this approach. We wanted a manageable number. It is not just a matter of the health protocol, which is the physical distancing which that would certainly allow. It’s a function of testing the software, of just managing the process in its entirety,” Tufton said. “So it is not solely a number solely decided based on clinical considerations. It’s an overall piloting.”
Tufton added: “That number will adjust as appropriate over time once we can be sure that the process has, as now prescribed, works. So 5,000 to start. We will get better with time once we perfect or improve the system.”
It is a system that McKenzie says he is banking on to provide the blueprint towards other sporting and social events for vaccinated fans.
“We will, if it becomes necessary, make the adjustment that would be required, and we will have to make those adjustments within the permit of the Disaster Risk Management Act and based on the advice of the Ministry of Health. But I am hopeful and I am positive that we will not have any real issues with the system,” McKenzie said.