Tobago stakeholders say the Government’s decision to go ahead with Carnival safe zone events is discriminatory and prevents unvaccinated artistes from earning money.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts gave the green light for strictly concert-styled events during the Carnival season. These include soca and calypso concerts, calypso tents, extempo and chutney competitions, steelband concerts, Carnival King and Queen shows and Carnival theatre. But the ministry said no fetes or parties will be allowed because of the risk of increased spread of the covid19 virus.

The TT Promoters Association has reacted vociferously to the decision, insisting the move will have no impact on the events sector, which it said, has been closed since the onset of the pandemic, two years ago. The association regarded the decision as an “important intervention for the state public relations machine.”

Sherwin Cunningham, manager of the D’ Masters Kaiso tent, told Sunday Newsday he does not support mandatory vaccination and was opposed to the safe zone initiative.

“I think as long as you allow people to practice their social distancing that we could have competitions or even this Carnival without any major problem because we have to learn to live with this thing because it is here to stay,” he said.

Cunningham believes safe zones do not work.

[caption id="attachment_935876" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Black Indians out in full force for the launch Tobago Carnival on January 17, 2020, the last time the festival took place before the onset of the pandemic in May. - FILE PHOTO/DAVID REID[/caption]

“We have proof of that, because the West Indies cricket team was once in a bubble and people still got sick. So safe zones don’t work.”

Cunningham, who has been involved in calypso since 2000, believes that as long as people are encouraged to practise safety measures, there would not be any need for safe zones “because what you are doing is actually leaving out artistes who are not willing to go take this jab.

“So, now they are being left on the breadline because you pushing this safe zone thing and I think that is wrong.”

He said while the Government’s intention is good, “It could be done outside of the safe zone.

“The idea of trying to create some kind of activity for the artistes and patrons alike, I am 100 per cent for that because it (covid19) is something we have to learn to live with. The virus has been around since 2019 and it is time we come to terms with it.”

Veteran bandleader Jemma Bedlow said Tobago’s masmen have agreed to not take part in Carnival this year, owing, in part, to the short time in which they have to prepare.

She said members of several interest groups have met with Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris to discuss concerns within the fraternity.

“We are not taking part in the Carnival in February. But we are looking to push it back to have the Carnival in