The government says it plans to allow fetes to resume beginning with one in July. That has alarmed many, who are worried that doing so could mean risking outbreaks of Covid-19 in a population, only around one-third of which is vaccinated. 

In this episode, two promoters discuss at length the planning done and protocols designed to make the event Covid-19 safe, so to speak. Only vaccinated people will be able to attend. A range of other protocols are envisaged. According to news reports, attendees could number up to 300 people and they would be hosted outdoors. In this discussion, a medical doctor and a former Chief Health Inspector joined us to discuss the risks.

The event itself is a test - a collaboration amongst promoters to demonstrate that public gatherings can be properly managed with Covid-19 protocols in force. Their reasons are primarily economic. Events management is a significant industry, and so too are entertainment, catering, vending, and other related sectors. All have been badly affected by the ongoing restrictions on large gatherings. 

But some are not impressed with the idea of this test fete or the return of large gatherings in general. In a written Facebook post, pathologist Dr. Lester Simon voiced his concern bluntly and with wit. Dr. Simon is the Chairman of the Covid-19 Vaccination National Technical Working Group (NTWG). He doubted whether fetes could be effectively policed, whether party-goers could be trusted to observe protocols such as mask-wearing and staying in their own groups, and he warned of the potential for such events to become super spreader incidents. 

The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on June 6th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online. Photo credit: Trini Jungle Juice. See Antigua Carnival 2018: De Breakfast Fete Party - Part 2