Grange wants vaccines for entertainment sector

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange is encouraging all entertainment industry practitioners who are over 50 years old to get vaccinated.

She has also expressed the desire to assist the sector in the same way that she did for sports, once the supplies of vaccines are available.

Last Thursday, July 1, the Government lifted the ban on entertainment events, giving the green light for parties, round robins, festivals, outdoor concerts, corporate and community events, and handover ceremonies. With countries reopening their borders and attempting to return to normal, entertainers, whose livelihood depend on overseas concerts, are now being booked for events. Some countries are requiring proof of vaccine with a 'no jab, no entry' rule.

Asked if any special plans are being put in place for the entertainment sector as far as a priority call for vaccination is concerned, Grange said, "What I have done for sports is to assist ... those who are going to Olympics and I would like to do that for entertainment."

She added, "Personally, I would like to mobilise that kind of support for the (entertainment) industry, but I have to wait and see what supplies of vaccines would be available through the Ministry of Health and Wellness."

She told THE STAR, however, that it was important that all those entertainment practitioners who are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine should ensure that they get jabbed.

"I am encouraging those over 50 in the industry, once they have restarted [giving out ] the first shot, that they should go and get vaccinated. Anyone over 50, if you got your first shot, go get your second shot," Grange said last Thursday at the premiere of the Dennis Brown docufilm.

She stressed, "I am asking the people in the industry to go and get vaccinated. Call me if needs be, I will help to make the arrangements for you. And then, as soon as more vaccines come into the country and it is opened up to under 50; then again, they should go and be vaccinated and I will help to mobilise the sector."

Grange also used the opportunity to appeal to the sector to be compliant, given the reopening. "I am asking the sector to observe the protocol. I am asking the sector to sanitise, do their temperature checks at events, ensure social distance, and to have the COVID-19 marshals who will help to see that there is compliance," she said.