With the COVID-19 pandemic influencing the cancellations of several entertainment events internationally, it was only a matter of time before regional affairs were also postponed.
Locally, the first event to blink so far is GimmeSoca, which was set to occur on March 28. Organizers of the event noted via a social media post, that though Barbados was yet to report any confirmed cases, with the influx of regional patrons and artists planned for the party, the responsible move, was to push back the date for the safety of all.
“After lengthy consideration, we must sadly announce the rescheduling of GimmeSoca due to the COVID-19 concerns. While this decision comes at a time of universal uncertainty, we take the safety and health of our patrons, staff, sponsors, service providers and community very seriously. Although there are currently no cases of COVID-19 in Barbados, we understand person’s reluctance of public gatherings and thus had to make this difficult decision. A new date for GimmeSoca is to be determined; however, all purchases for the March date will be honoured for this future event,” it said.
Soon to follow was the Vujaday Music Festival, with had an early April start on the cards.
“It is with a heavy heart that, after close consultations with the Barbados authorities, we are announcing the official postponement of the Vujaday Music Festival until November 2020. While this decision was not made lightly, it was made with the best interests of our fans, employees, artists and residents of Barbados in mind. Beyond the fact that global events have made travel from various countries difficult, if not impossible, governments from around the world have advised against mass gatherings of any kind at this time,” organizers revealed.
These cancellations, with more to come, will now place our own Crop Over carnival into focus, as the start for the 2020 festival is still being planned for the beginning of summer.
Local organizers of events have mostly until now remained silent about the situation, but with the usual mass arrival of tourists for the season, Barbadian authorities and stakeholders cannot sit idle for long, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage and offset overseas
territories.