Artistes taking COVID precautions on tour

Dancehall hit-slinger Shenseea headlined a concert in Miami's art district Wynwood on the weekend with hundreds of people in attendance.

Videos of the event showed members of the audience, unmasked and rubbing shoulders - irrespective of any social distancing protocols - sending state officials in a frenzy over what has been defined as 'superspreader events', those having more than the required number of people in a space, especially indoors, with little to no ventilation, and have lots of talking or singing.

In light of the reports by overseas media, artiste manager Romeich Major told THE STAR about the additional measures he has taken in order to protect his team.

He said, "Show or no show, we have been travelling to do studio work, music videos and a host of other business because we still have to live. For this reason, the artistes usually wear masks and upon performance, the mask is removed and we sanitise fully. What we have skipped is the meet and greets; that has been stopped."

Not broken any laws

Major, who manages artistes like Shenseea, Teejay and Ding Dong, asserts that he and the team have not broken any laws or protocols.

"Each place has its rules and regulations, which we follow, we never do anything illegal. We were booked for a show, went there and performed. So if there is an issue, anybody that is at fault is the promoter," he said of the Wynwood event.

Before travelling and before returning to Jamaica, Major says team members take a test three or four days in advance, quarantine, and repeat that routine every time.

"Let's be logical. An election was held where over 100 million persons voted and mingled in events across the US. Everywhere we go, including restaurants that require a mask to enter, is risky, because you still take off the mask to eat. Where is the sense in that? Same on the aeroplanes ... the virus can still be passed on," he said. "So we have to keep going, living and do what needs to be done to live carefully and follow protocols because people can't make up their minds to sit home until COVID-19 makes up its mind to go. We cannot do that, we have families and friends to feed and the bills still have to pay."

Meanwhile reggae artiste Lutan Fyah performed in Costa Rica at the beginning of the pandemic and most recently in Sacramento, California.

"Persons are still following the protocols. Of course we can't wear our mask when performing but those seen in videos not wearing any protective gear either don't have fear or live in the state and know how well they can deal with it," he told THE STAR. He said that whenever and wherever he travels, he makes it a habit to stay inside the hotels and wear a mask.

"After a performance I still do meet and greets because people still want to hol' a vibes, tek two picture. But by that time, my mask is on and it's not no long time to interact with the fans," he said.