Entertainment Lawyer Ewan Simpson Says Jamaica’s Gov’t Failed In Handling Of Entertainment Sector

Speaking to Anthony Miller on Entertainment Report, Entertainment Lawyer Ewan Simpson said that although the Jamaican government has shut down the entertainment industry, “We never shut down our factories, we never shut down shipping, we never shut down tourism.”

Simpson further disclaimed, “I understand the government’s concern, but at the same time other industries function and they function on protocols”.

When asked if the opening of the entertainment industry will contribute to a new spike, Simpson said there are rogue people in every industry but they weren’t shut down.

During the interview, Miller asked what grade would he give the government for its handling of the industry during the pandemic. At which point Simpson declared a disappointing 4 (out of ten).

His comments come as videos surfaced of a week-long party “Mocha Fest”, at Rick’s Cafe in Negril recently.

The Health Minister denied knowledge of the event as well as senior advisor to the Jamaica Tourist Board Delano Seiveright.

Seiveright tweeted after much social media backlash in response to videos of the event being circulated with maskless ravers, “Ministry of Tourism’s COVID-19 Health & Safety protocols were developed to ensure the safety of Jamaicans & Visitors. Reports of breaches of these protocols & the Disaster Risk Management Act are taken very seriously. Appropriate sanctions are already being put into full effect”.

As part of the disaster risk management initiatives, Jamaica’s government has banned all parties,  gatherings of over 30 persons and other entertainment events.

Richard Wallace, president of the Negril Chamber of Commerce told the Jamaica Observer that he was shocked that the event happened in Negril although it was being advertised for eight months and had a full week’s schedule.

He said, “People are upset and understandably so. We are upset as well because there were obvious breaches of the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) and the COVID protocols that were put in place by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) which all entities should be abiding by. So, we were shocked and appalled just like the rest of the nation when we saw the footage and saw the videos online,” stated Wallace, who emphasised, “We do not condone any such acts that are contravening the law and also contravening protocols.”

The Creative Industries including parties, dancehall and reggae events recorded massive losses according to Howard McIntosh, chairman of Jamaica’s Entertainment Advisory Board, “…we are looking at over $100-billion loss in the sector. The data concludes that $195-billion annual economic loss due to closure of arts and entertainment entities, events and activities, with over 76,000 direct and indirect jobs affected in the entertainment sector”.

He recommended that as part of the recovery strategies the government should use the systems in place that will directly help the industry,

“1) Merge the Sports Development Foundation and the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund to create an ECCI Fund to deal with issues in the immediate and medium term.

2) Allow participants to earn in the night-time economy by lifting the curfew hours to 12.

3) Develop incentives for the sector, provide corporate Jamaica the opportunity to invest in the ECCI — investment tax credits, grants, set-up facilities through Ex-Im Bank.”

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett reported earlier this week that J$500 million was paid out to the entertainment sector for the first half of 2021. He doubled down after members of the industry questioned his assertions. He told the Star, “We received the actual figures hotel by hotel of how much they paid out and that is how we arrived at the total. It is a little under $500 million…these people who are earning are the singers, dancers, bands and all the regular tourism entertainers.”

Beenie Man, Cecile, Mr. Lexx, responded in disdain to the minister’s pronouncements. Cecile wrote on Instagram, “Me know mi nuh earn one cent.”

Mr. Lexx, said in a comment, “Pupah Geezas den a which industry me inna,” while Beenie Man commented using a laughing emoji.

Amidst the ongoing pressure from members of the entertainment industry as well as persons declaring hypocrisy in enforcing the rules set by the government, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has committed to addressing the reopening of the sector on June 22.