St. Vincent and the Grenadines carnival – Vincy Mas will return to Victoria Park and the streets of capital city, Kingstown after a two-year break.
But the decision will be based on what happens after the Easter weekend celebrations.
“We are pleased to announce that Vincy Mas 2022 will return to Victoria Park and the streets of Kingstown for the two days of parade as the traditional mas will normally take place,” Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, Carlos James, announced today (April 5, 2022) at a press conference.
Vincy Mas usually takes place in early July each year with J’ouvert celebrations, a street parade and mardi gras. Earlier events usually take place in June.
Mr. James said the decision was based on amendments to the current health protocols “and extensive discussions with the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Taskforce and the Carnival Development Corporation”. He added that the decision was also influenced by “the continued low positivity rates which we are seeing now and which hopefully will continue closer to the period of the festival, and all things being equal”.
“Essentially, events comprising our carnival – Vincy Mas will be open to the general public,” Mr. James added.
The Vincy Mas events will be open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
Mr. James said during the upcoming promotions for a full-on Vincy Mas, persons will be encouraged to get vaccinated and to continue to practice all the health protocols including wearing masks as “We continue to navigate this very unusual period which has been brought on due to the Covid-19 pandemic”.
“I want to state clearly that this decision is based on the positivity rate at the particular time. For instance, if you move to a positivity rate during or close to the carnival period of let’s say five percent and above, we will naturally revert back to the original planned controlled events in a controlled environment where health protocols would trump. Of course, most of those activities will be vaccinated events,” Mr. James added.
The Bequia Easter Regatta is also being held this year, but in a limited way, Mr. James announced.
The Union Island Easterval events are also slated to take place over the Easter weekend, Mr. James further announced, as he encouraged the nation to adhere to the Covid-19 protocols to ensure they protect themselves and others.
What transpires post-Easter will determine how we go forward with Vincy Mas, James further stated.