The TT Promoters Association is dismissing the announcement by the govt of a safe-zone Carnival which specifically excludes parties, fetes and other similar gatherings.
In a statement Thursday in response to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture's statement on Wednesday, the association said the so-called Taste of Carnival has absolutely no effect on its industry, but is an 'important intervention for the state public relations machine.'
'The (newspaper) headline reading 'Carnival is On' is misleading and it has caused tremendous confusion for stakeholders. As a nation we have missed the opportunity to activate 'Carnival' for 2022.'
The association said as far as it is concerned, the events sector is still closed as it has been for two years.
'Events happen year-round, employment is generated by event producers year-round. Events are not just fetes, they are also sporting events, corporate events, ceremonial events,
conferences, political events, meetings and so on.
'The event sector stimulates the economy. Revenue streams reach stakeholders year-round, event production is a vital part of the economy.'
The association said its members use personal funds to generate employment and do business.
'We do not receive any state funding whatsoever (and) do not have the luxury of taxpayer funds to prop us up. We have to be profitable to survive.'
The ministry, on Wednesday, said only concert-type events with masked, vaccinated participants, at 50 per cent capacity, would be allowed. These include soca and calypso concerts; calypso tents; soca, calypso, extempo and chutney competitions; steelband concerts; Carnival King and Queen shows; and Carnival theatre.
Fetes or parties are prohibited because of the risk of increased spread of the covid19 virus.
The ministry said, 'While PCR testing of patrons was considered as a form of risk mitigation, it was not deemed realistic as the cost per test per patron would be uneconomical.'
On Thursday, Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Randall Mitchell admitted, in a CCN TV6 interview, that the delay in giving the green light for events happened because the ministry was awaiting advice from the Ministry of Health
However, he said there is still enough time to organise and host approved Carnival events which must follow strict public health protocols.
He said approved spaces include those licensed under the Theatres and Dancehall Licence Act.
'The NCC (National Carnival Commission) is looking at the Grand Stand (Queen's Park Savannah). It is spacious, persons will be safely seated.'
The association acknowledged the state has a key role in supporting traditional arts and ensuring the preservation of TT's heritage, but the current model for state intervention still needs to change.
'It is simply not working for the whole product. We reiterate our call for new systems and bodies that are fit for purpose and can assimilate the needs of the sector in 2022 and beyond.'
It said promoters cannot continue to live in the current state and are seeking
