NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Promoters of a Reggae Valentine Event featuring Dexta Daps did not get the necessary health approvals to stage their concert in Nassau this weekend.
Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister Latrae Rahming confirmed last night the concert request was denied after promoters resubmitted their application.
“The Ministry of Health asked the organizers to resubmit for a proposal to be reviewed (yesterday),” Rahming said. The Ministry of Health has reviewed the proposal and indicated to the organisation due to the continued health service rules that underscore an embargo on large events from happening, its potential to be a super spreader, and the lack of satisfaction that the country is out of the fourth wave, that it cannot approve it at this time.”
He appeared as a guest on Beyond the Headlines with host Shenique Miller.
Yesterday, promoter Clayvon Duncombe of Phluid Factory yesterday encouraged fans to purchase tickets, insisting the concert was still on.
“Dexta Daps concert this weekend,” Duncombe said.
“Big shout out, like I said, to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
“Big shout out to the PLP (Progressive Liberal Party) government. We know this [is] a new day.
“All of our protocols are in place. The [COVID] numbers are low.
“This is a good day and this is the best time to have an event right.
“This is a weekend where persons will be socializing anyway because of the other events.”
Duncombe said the concert represents a major economic boost for both New Providence and Grand Bahama, with “persons coming in from Canada, persons coming in from the US, persons coming from all over The Bahamas to come to see this particular person”.
He added: “We would not risk our investment, risk our name on the line for things like this.”
Yesterday, Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville said communication was sent on January 17 to the organizers in response to their request for approval of the event, which sought to host 2,000 people on February 11.
“The email [advised] the organizers that the event could only occur if it adhered to the existing parameters in the Health Services Rules — 30 maximum outdoors and 20 maximum indoors,” Darville said in a correspondence.
The minister said the application was denied in part due to the state of the pandemic at that time, but the organizers were invited to resubmit a request for approval for reconsideration two weeks prior to the event.
Loading ...
