TPDCo has stripped Rick’s Café’s COVID-19 compliance certification, with immediate effect

Rick’s Café, the epicentre of the viral videos and images circulating of Mocha Fest, has apologised to the Jamaican public for hosting patrons who disregarded anti-coronavirus protocols, partying without abandon.

Rick’s Café, in a statement on Friday (May 28), chalked up the footage of a sold-out Mocha Fest to overcrowding.

“We acknowledge the Mocha Fest party on Thursday afternoon at Rick’s Café became more crowded than expected under current protocols for entertainment venues,” a spokesperson for the popular tourist bar said. 

“We deeply regret that it occurred, and sincerely apologise for allowing it to happen. Going forward, we will redouble compliance training to ensure this does not happen again.”

Jamaican Twitter users remain vocal in their disapproval of Daytime Urban Splash, a hip-hop themed pool party, blasting the government for approving Mocha Fest when local entertainment events have been banned. 

Mocha Fest confirmed that its series of parties, marking Memorial Day weekend, is being staged exclusively for tourists. 

Responding to a Jamaican’s query earlier in May, Mocha Fest said on Instagram that the event wasn’t open to locals. 

“Not this year, unfortunately,” the organisers disclosed.

Our Today has been reliably informed that entry protocols were ‘strict’, with visitors required by Mocha Fest to either be fully vaccinated or present a negative PCR test. However, once gaining access, scores of patrons were observed spurning face mask mandates, and social distancing measures were virtually non-existent.

In the meantime, the Tourism Product Development Company Ltd (TPDCo), said on Friday that with immediate effect, Rick’s Café has had its COVID-19 compliance certification withdrawn.

“The Tourism Product Development Company Ltd (TPDCo) wishes to advise that, further to the breach of COVID-19 health and safety protocols at Rick’s Café in Negril, TPDCo has withdrawn Rick’s Café’s COVID-19 compliance certification with immediate effect.  Subsequently, Rick’s Café will be required to undergo a re-certification exercise to ensure strict adherence to the established COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols before it can be allowed to accept visitors again. The Ministry of Tourism’s COVID-19 Health and Safety protocols were developed to ensure the safety of Jamaicans and Visitors to Jamaica. TPDCo wishes to assure the public that the agency takes the reports of breaches of these protocols and the Disaster Risk Management Act very seriously and that the appropriate sanctions will take full effect,” the agency advised.

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, seeking to distance his administration from the surging backlash, said on Twitter that neither the Savanna-La-Mar Health Authority nor the Ministry of Health “gave permission for this event”.

Senior Advisor to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, Delano Seiveright called the Mocha Fest scenes ‘appalling’ and assured that the oversight by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), which led to the event being listed on its website was unfortunate.

“We are appalled! Full investigation…Calendar should have been updated a long time ago. Quite regrettable! JTB gave NO undertaking for sponsorship &/or endorsement of such activities since the start of pandemic. We have supported virtual events so far…More details soon!” he said.

In its statement, the JTB, responding to the rising outrage, said it was “extremely disappointed” and while not denying the event’s approval by the tourism ministry, said the breaches are unacceptable.

A full investigation through the TPDCo has been launched, the JTB disclosed.

See related article below:

• JTB responds as backlash grows over Mocha Fest, official probe launched