In the wake of the successful staging of the country’s largest event since the reopening of the entertainment sector, CEO of the I Love Soca Cooler Festival Brand, Andrew Bellamy says “Our template is a workable example of how safe events can be held in Jamaica.”

As the first large event since the entertainment sector’s reopening on July 1, the I Love Soca staging was met with high expectations and apprehension as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on in Jamaica and around the world.

Not to be disappointed, however, the approximately 1,800 patrons who came out for the event bore witness to the multiple sanitisation stations, roving COVID-19 marshalls who reminded them to wear their masks and the effort placed in physical spacing dubbed by the promoters as “fete zones”.

“We really sought to re-imagine what this event looks like with regards to spacing but we maintained the infectious vibe of the experience,” said Bellamy in a statement.

He noted: “We kept our numbers below our regular patronage as well because as promoters we realise our responsibility to re-work our events to keep our patrons safe and our industry open.”

Among the new measures implemented during the “re-imagined” staging was a Vax-VIP area, much to the satisfaction of patrons who were able to take advantage.

Vax-VIP patrons were able to feel safe knowing that they were in a space specially created for persons who were fully vaccinated with their own amenities.

“We foresaw that creating a “bubble effect” for fully vaxxed patrons would be a welcomed innovation because it allows patrons to party comfortably in a “safe” zone,” commented Bellamy.

Not without its challenges, however, Bellamy informed that “as the night progressed our marshalls had to increase their efforts in ensuring that patrons complied with the protocols”.

Nonetheless, he stated, “we are satisfied with our execution because the patrons adhered to the protocols once reminded which means they are cognizant of the dual responsibility involved in keeping our industry operational.”

READ MORE: I Love Soca an ‘overdue’ affair for soca lovers