With the reopening of the entertainment industry starting July 1, Mayor of Kingston Delroy Williams is urging industry players operating in Kingston and St Andrew to abide by the established COVID-19 protocols in the planning and
execution of events. 

Williams, in a release from the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), cautioned promoters that the municipality would not allow a few unlawful and selfish persons to ruin the gains and waste the sacrifices of the many who are compliant.

The mayor stated that the KSAMC would commence the renewal and issuance of Annual and Special Amusement licences, in keeping with the directive of the Government, and would be checking events and places of amusement licences to ensure they are both compliant, as well as ensuring that they are operating within the law. 

“We welcome the reopening of the sector and look forward to the orderly recovery of the creative economy,” Williams said.

“We however, cannot drop the ball and will be playing a critical role in the supervision and enforcement of the law and urge all promoters to comply with the regulations and report any and all unauthorised events.”

The mayor comments come amid heightening concerns that the reopening of entertainment events could lead to a new spike in COVID-19 infections if not managed properly.

50,000 INFECTIONS, 1,000 DEATHS

By the end of Monday (June 28), Jamaica had confirmed 50,080 COVID-19 infections, since the first case more than a year ago, and 1,065 deaths.

However, the rate of infection has fallen significantly in recent months, since the Government’s implementation
of significantly more restrictive curfews, specifically on the weekends.

Those restrictive measures have, however, come with significant economic and psychological strain.

Today Williams lauded the collective work of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport in getting the country to its current point, where the Government believes it can alleviate that strain without significantly compromising the safety of citizens.

Williams also stated that much more would be done in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth and seamless process for the application and approval of licences that should change the face of the entertainment industry moving ahead. 

He urged promoters to make use of the waivers and incentives being offered during the recovery period to secure a quick recovery to the creative economy and the thousands of persons it employs.