Members of the general public are hereby notified that the lifting of the ban to play amplified music which came into effect on July 10 and expires on July 31, 2020 has been extended effective August 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020.
To this end, every person(s) applying for such permission must comply with all of the protocols relating to the prevention/containment of the spread of the COVID -19 virus; including the newly developed and adopted “Recommendations for the Managed Conduct of Mass Gatherings with or without Amplified Music” issued by the Health Services Subcommittee of the National Emergency Committee/COVID 19 Task Force; Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment. Please see protocols attached.
The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has declared August 3rd and 4th, 2020 as public holidays. It therefore means that Vincentians will be enjoying an extended weekend. Accordingly, the RSVGPF strongly advises every citizen and visitor, that whatever you choose to do over this long weekend, please do it in a safe and responsible way. When you adhere to the protocols, you are protecting yourself and those around you; thereby helping to contain the spread of the Corona Virus.
HEALTH SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MANAGED CONDUCT OF MASS GATHERINGS WITH OR WITHOUT AMPLIFIED MUSIC
AIM: The safe conduct of mass gatherings with or without amplified music in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in a manner that reduces the risk of the transmission of COVID-19 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
OBJECTIVES:
Minimize the potential for creating a COVID-19 super-spreader event.
Reduce the exposure of congregants/attendees/patrons of mass gatherings in SVG to SARS-CoV-2.
Early identification of congregants/attendees/patrons of mass gatherings suspicious of having COVID-19.
Facilitate contact tracing and the early containment of COVID-19 in the event of exposure during a mass gathering.
The managed conduct of mass gatherings with or without amplified music is the responsibility of the Environmental Health Services Department of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment supported by the RSVGPF, as per the existing Public Health Act of 1977, the amended Public Health Act of 2020 and the Environmental Health Services Act of 1991.
Mass gatherings include:
Outdoor gatherings: Include open air crusades, block-o-ramas, outdoor fetes, gatherings around open bars (e.g. Heritage Square), gatherings with direct access to the courtyard or large yard or a large pool area, catamaran cruises, beach and river picnics.
Indoor gatherings: Include in door church services, concerts, house parties, night clubs, meetings and boat rides on ferries.
The measures recommended recognize:
The increased risk of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines due to the increased arrival of travelers as of July 1, from countries with many cases of COVID-19 and reduced quarantine requirements in SVG.
The increased risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during indoor gatherings compared to outdoor gatherings due to the limited capacity to physically distance and the diminished air quality in enclosed spaces.
The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is reduced by the use of facial coverings, physical distancing, cough etiquette and hand hygiene.
PHASE #1: July 10 to July 31, 2020 – Mass gatherings with or without amplified music:
Outdoor gatherings:
Outdoor gatherings with or without amplified music with a maximum of 300 persons should be allowed.
Temperature checks of all patrons should be done where the venue allows controlled access. This function is to be provided by the organizers of the event. Any patron/attendee/congregant found to have a temperature greater than 100.1’F MUST be referred immediately to the COVID-19 Hotline (534-4325).
Sufficient sanitizing stations (at a recommended ratio of no less than 1:40 persons) should be maintained for the duration of the event. If the event is a street/square type event, the involved shops/stalls/bars should provide sanitizing options.
The outdoor venue should have sufficient space to allow for free movement (3 ft physical distancing) between congregants/patrons/attendees.
The use of facial coverings by the congregants/patrons/attendees is strongly recommended.
To facilitate contact tracing (when practical):
All congregants/patrons/attendees should download the MOHWE Patient Reporting APP to facilitate the early identification of contacts of new suspected COVID-19 cases. (Ready by mid-July) or
The event organizer should record the name (ID verified) and contact number of each person entering the event and store this information securely for twenty-eight (28) days. The MOHWE will only access this information in the event that contact tracing involving the persons who attended the event is required.
Adequate toilet facilitates with hygiene practices sufficiently maintained and available at or near to all events are strongly advised.
All food safety protocols must be strictly adhered to.
Compliance with the Public Health Act of 1977, Amended Public Health Act of 2020 and the Environmental Health Services Act of 1991 is required.
Indoor gatherings:
Indoor gatherings with or without amplified music with a maximum of 200 persons should be allowed.
Temperature checks of all congregants/attendees/patrons should be done as they enter the venue. This function must be provided by the organizers of the event. Any patron found to have a temperature greater than 100.1’F MUST be referred immediately to the COVID-19 Hotline (534-4325).
Sufficient hand washing or hand sanitizing stations (at a recommended ratio of no less than 1:40 persons) should be available for the duration of the event.
The venue should have sufficient space to allow for 3-6 ft physical distancing between congregants/patrons/attendees, and the free movement of congregants/patrons/attendees.
Facial coverings worn by the majority of congregants/patrons/attendees is strongly recommended.
To facilitate contact tracing (when practical):
All congregants/patrons/attendees should download the MOHWE Patient Reporting APP to facilitate the early identification of contacts of new suspected COVID-19 cases. (Ready by mid-July) or
The event organizer should record the name (ID verified) and contact number of each person entering the event and store this information securely for twenty-eight (28) days. The MOHWE will only access this information in the event that contact tracing involving the persons who attended the event is required.
Adequate toilet facilitates with hygiene practices sufficiently maintained should be available at all events.
All food safety protocols must be strictly adhered to.
Compliance with the Public Health Act of 1977 and the Environmental Health Services Act of 1991 is required.
Please note that the Health Services Subcommittee of the National Emergency Committee/COVID-19 Task Force, Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment may at any time make different recommendations.
