EAB optimistic about full reopening

With vaccinated fans being able to attend some sporting and entertainment events, the Entertainment Advisory Board (EAB), voicing its support of the move, said it hopes that this is a signal that the local events sector will reopen fully in short order.

“The announcement by both the prime minister and minister of health regarding changes to the events sector, commencing with vaccinated fans being allowed to attend various sports events, is a welcomed indication that other entertainment and live music events will soon be approved,” EAB Chairman Howard McIntosh said in a release.

For a second year, Reggae Month celebrations have been largely virtual. McIntosh said it is hoped that next year’s celebration will be mostly physical or a balanced, blended approach.

“We believe that, with proper planning and protocols, which already have been tested locally, we can move to reopen the entertainment, cultural and creative industries (ECCIs) that have been immensely affected due to the protracted closure of the events sector,” McIntosh continued.

The release stated that the loss to ECCIs in Jamaica over the last two years is approximately $500 billion (approximately US$3.3 billion).

“Jamaica is a country that thrives on the proliferation and export of our cultural output in our tourism and entertainment industries, and we must now reimagine how this industry will not only recover but enable it to thrive,” McIntosh said.