No plans to postpone Carnival...at this time

[Socapro]

No plans to postpone Carnival...at this time
Saturday, October 11 2014 (T&T Newday)

While Government is introducing more stringent measures to prevent Ebola from entering this country, it has “absolutely no plans” at this time to postpone Carnival 2015, Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan said yesterday.

The Parade of the Bands is scheduled to take place on February 16 and 17.

Khan was responding to reports that National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman, Allison Demas, had “said something about Carnival being delayed” because of concerns visitors from countries where there have been outbreaks may have plans to visit Trinidad and Tobago during the greatest show on Earth.

“What (Demas) has indicated, is that it’s the prerogative of the Ministry of Health and the Cabinet, that it should be looked at and we definitely will be looking at the movement of travellers for Carnival.”

“Once we put things in place,” Khan added, “once it’s contained in West Africa and internationally, that is something we’ll look at in the future but there are absolutely no plans by the Cabinet or the Government to deal with the stopping of Carnival as I speak.”

However the minister made it clear the possible postponement of Carnival “is a discussion that will occur as time progresses.”

Khan was speaking at an Ebola Prevention and Sensitisation press conference at the Health Ministry’s Park Street, Port-of-Spain head office yesterday.

Questioned about what exactly would prompt the ministry to implement travel restrictions for Carnival 2015 or postpone it, Khan told reporters, “One has to look at the international escalation of the virus.”

“We also have to (determine) from where the most amount of visitors come from for Carnival. That would be the prerogative of the National Operations Centre (NOC) to advise Cabinet about that approach.”

Khan also said his ministry would be looking at what the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) would be doing “in their approach to the spread of the disease or the non-containment of the disease.”

“Those things will be taken into consideration prior to making a decision about stopping one of the major festivals in the country.”

Yesterday, the WHO said the number of deaths attributable to the Ebola outbreak had risen to 4,033 confirmed, probable or suspected cases. All but nine of those were in the worst-affected countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone while eight of the rest were in Nigeria, with one death in the United States.

Demas yesterday issued a statement about how this deadly outbreak has “rightly so, created concern and panic amongst the population of TT.”

While the NCC was “reassured by the Ministry of Health’s proactive approach in preparing to deal with this situation, should it unfortunately reach our shores,” Demas said NCC would, “in the coming days” meet with the Ministry of Health to understand their approach in handling this global epidemic.

“The NCC is a major stakeholder and partner in Carnival, both from a public health and disaster preparedness perspective and we are prepared to go the distance to ensure that Carnival 2015 is celebrated in a risk free environment.”

Bandleaders have also shared their thoughts on the matter.

Tribe’s Dean Ackin, in an interview with CNC3 yesterday, said he would support the postponement of Carnival if the authorities deem this the wisest choice.

“As of now, we are continuing with our preparations for Carnival. We will leave it up to the authorities to determine the level of risk to the country and we will support any decision they make.”

However Harts’ band leader, Luis Hart criticised Arts and Multiculturalism Minister, Dr Lincoln Douglas, for contemplating such a move.

“He’s causing panic, for no reason. It’s unfounded and reckless...It’s like trying to kill the dog after it done bite you. Stop the dog from biting you in the first place, that’s where the main focus is supposed to be and that falls in the hands of our Ministry of Health and of course, Ministry of National Security.”

Hart pointed out that many Carnival bands have loans and overdrafts, “creditors that you need to pay. If he shuts down Carnival next year, it means that the Carnival industry will more than likely collapse.”

[AB.Trini]

Ah boi - ironic isn't it? Carnival - general elections- good time to silence the Kaiso . The Ebola issue  could be just the ideal justification to move in the direction they are going!!!!!

[Jumbie]

Ah boi - ironic isn't it? Carnival - general elections- good time to silence the Kaiso . The Ebola issue  could be just the ideal justification to move in the direction they are going!!!!!

Do you honestly believe that Kaiso can sway an election?

[AB.Trini]

Ah boi - ironic isn't it? Carnival - general elections- good time to silence the Kaiso . The Ebola issue  could be just the ideal justification to move in the direction they are going!!!!!

Do you honestly believe that Kaiso can sway an election?

They may not sway it entirely but if there was a ban, undue critical  elements from this SE for would not be infiltrating the airwaves. In the past it was the norm to hear calypsos  with biting satire on the politics of the nation. Now not as much.too many artist appear to have been " bought out"  There are rumours that some have been paid to advocate for  some politicians-

We need more artists like Cro Cro who has a backbone to stand up and tell it
Ike it is despite attempts to censor him.

[Jumbie]

Ah boi - ironic isn't it? Carnival - general elections- good time to silence the Kaiso . The Ebola issue  could be just the ideal justification to move in the direction they are going!!!!!

Do you honestly believe that Kaiso can sway an election?

They may not sway it entirely but if there was a ban, undue critical  elements from this SE for would not be infiltrating the airwaves. In the past it was the norm to hear calypsos  with biting satire on the politics of the nation. Now not as much.too many artist appear to have been " bought out"  There are rumours that some have been paid to advocate for  some politicians-

We need more artists like Cro Cro who has a backbone to stand up and tell it
Ike it is despite attempts to censor him.

all that to basically say, no!

[Socapro]

Make Carnival ‘Trinbagonian’
Thursday, October 23 2014 (T&T Newsday)

MAKE Carnival a Trinbagonian thing and let the show go on. This is the suggestion coming from one of the country’s leading Carnival promoters Randy Glasgow, on what to do about Carnival 2015 if the Ebola threat persists.

Glasgow’s promotion company is calling on the authorities to make a “mature decision” when deciding whether or not to hold Carnival next year, if the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) becomes a threat to the citizenry. Glasgow’s thoughts on the holding of Carnival came yesterday amidst a broad hint from Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan that Carnival 2015 will proceed. Asked at yesterday’s post-Cabinet press conference in San Fernando about the threat of the EVD to Carnival 2015, Khan said, “by then the country should have the Ebola Isolation Unit in place and people trained to manage it.”

In a release, Randy Glasgow Productions (RGP) said it fully supports not having Carnival 2015, “if Ebola becomes a threat to citizens.” However the company wants the authorities to make Carnival a “Trinbagonian thing”, in 2015.

“Three billion dollars denied for any sector,” RGP said, “could spell disaster for our people.”

Calling on Khan to look at Rio Carnival and New Orleans Mardi Gras, both of which attract over a million visitors each year, RGP said there was no talk of them cancelling their events.

[Deeks]

Make Carnival ‘Trinbagonian’
Thursday, October 23 2014 (T&T Newsday)

MAKE Carnival a Trinbagonian thing and let the show go on. This is the suggestion coming from one of the country’s leading Carnival promoters Randy Glasgow, on what to do about Carnival 2015 if the Ebola threat persists.

Glasgow’s promotion company is calling on the authorities to make a “mature decision” when deciding whether or not to hold Carnival next year, if the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) becomes a threat to the citizenry. Glasgow’s thoughts on the holding of Carnival came yesterday amidst a broad hint from Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan that Carnival 2015 will proceed. Asked at yesterday’s post-Cabinet press conference in San Fernando about the threat of the EVD to Carnival 2015, Khan said, “by then the country should have the Ebola Isolation Unit in place and people trained to manage it.”

In a release, Randy Glasgow Productions (RGP) said it fully supports not having Carnival 2015, “if Ebola becomes a threat to citizens.” However the company wants the authorities to make Carnival a “Trinbagonian thing”, in 2015.

“Three billion dollars denied for any sector,” RGP said, “could spell disaster for our people.”

Calling on Khan to look at Rio Carnival and New Orleans Mardi Gras, both of which attract over a million visitors each year, RGP said there was no talk of them cancelling their events.

Glasgow has a point. the Minister and the govt should start making contingencies to contain the EVD right now. They can have an isolation unit as Glasgow pointed out. They can reopen Chacachare island if they that scared. But they have more than enough time before carnival to implement safety measures.

[Jumbie]

re: Calling on Khan to look at Rio Carnival and New Orleans Mardi Gras, both of which attract over a million visitors each year, RGP said there was no talk of them cancelling their events.


Do we have the resources (manpower and equipment) to properly screen inbound travelers as New Orleans and Brazil would have in place? On a normal day entering for carnival it's pure madness. It took us 2.5-3 hrs this year (wed before carnival) from the time we landed to the time we had the humidity on our faces.