Shaggy Named But Not Charged Over Alleged COVID Breaches In Bermuda

Dancehall star Shaggy has been named in court documents lodged against two event organisers in connection with alleged breaches of COVID-19 protocols that took place on a controversial boat trip last summer in Bermuda.

Shaggy has not been charged in relation to the incident but Cindy Clarke, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said that prosecution will be going ahead with charges levied against the promoters Matthew Strong and Selange Gitschner.

The charges, two counts, relate to alleged offenses on June 8, 2021. The case will be heard in the Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 11th.

According to the court documents, it is alleged that the defendants “aided, counselled and procured Orville Burrell”, whose stage name is Shaggy, to contravene one of the COVID-19 rules “in that he, having travelled to Bermuda on the June 8 2021, did not quarantine until he received his negative Covid-19 result”.

The second count will allege that they “failed to take all reasonable steps … to maintain appropriate physical distancing by not wearing a mask when one is required“ as required by COVID-19 regulations.

The controversial boat trip, dubbed a ‘raft-up’, involved dozens of social media influencers who were brought to the island by US fashion brand Revolve. The event was a staged commercial event under the auspices, permission and knowledge of the Bermuda Tourism Authority and other relevant Government departments with the view to promoting and marketing Bermuda.

Last year, the raft-up triggered a political firestorm and the Premier David Burt had to step forward to strongly deny claims that a controversial raft-up involving US high fashion firm Revolve and singer Shaggy was authorised by the government. A police investigation was launched into the event culminating in charges being levied now against the promoters.

At the time, David Burt said that “all raft-ups were illegal and it was therefore impossible for the event to be approved”.

“The reason why permission was not given was because the Minister of National Security only has the power to approve large events, events larger than allowed in law,” Burt added at the time.

All people that enter Bermuda are required to have a PCR test at the border and are required to remain in their place of residence until such time as they receive their results. However, it soon emerged that one person – Shaggy – attended the event before receiving his airport test result.