Zim arts and entertainment industry needs a lifeline
The Covid-19 pandemic has kept us prisoners of our own homes for so long and the lockdown fatigue is something that cannot be ignored.
While getting back to our normal way of life might not be on the horizon, many people in Zimbabwe are hopping that restrictions will be relaxed a bit on Monday.
The strict measures that were put in place at the beginning of the year were supposed to end after a 30-day period but government extended the restrictions to February 15.
With many other countries starting to open up, optimism is high that the powers that be will also follow suit.
The arts and entertainment industry which has been redundant for months on end could also get a lifeline and hopefully government can figure a way to go about it.
Across the Limpopo, establishments that include cinemas, casinos, museums, galleries, public swimming pools, beaches, parks and sporting venues have been opened.
In the US, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that a limited number of fans will be allowed to attend sports and entertainment events at venues with 10,000 or more seats. The seating is set to be limited to 10 percent of the venue’s capacity.
The Barclays Center has already been approved for hosting fans on February 23 for the Nets’ game against the Sacramento Kings where all attendees are to show proof of a negative P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of the event.
Fans will also be required to remain socially distanced and wear face coverings at games.
While we might not have to copy the measures those countries have put in place in order to open up their leisure sections, there is no reason why we should not come up with our own tailor-made strategies.
There are numerous concepts that were teased by event organisers late last year which can be explored and implemented effectively should there be a go ahead.
For example, the drive-in cinema concept can easily be adopted for live gigs where people can bring their cooler boxes and enjoy live music while they are sitting in their cars.
There has also been talk of events where a venue can be partitioned into sections which can accommodate a limited number of people each so as to encourage social distancing.
Ideas are limitless, but it all comes down to those who make the rules and their willingness to work hand in hand with industry players to map the way forward.
Last year when lockdown regulations were relaxed, church gatherings were allowed but live shows and other leisure congregations were deemed unlawful.
For an industry that had been deprived of earning for so long, numerous artistes and event organisers ended up breaking the law with several shows being held and some nightclubs becoming operational during the festive season.
The most prominent of these illegal events was the New Year’s Eve bash that was held in Mbare which led to the arrest and conviction of DJ Fantan, Levels and Damma.
Instead creating a situation where artistes turn into outlaws in order to survive, authorities must find a way to allow leisure events with strict Covid-19 guidelines in place.
Hopefully the arts industry is also considered this time around when government decides to relax Covid-19 regulations.
