Times Of Swaziland: ENCAC WARNS EVENT ORGANISERS ENCAC WARNS EVENT ORGANISERS ================================================================================ BY DUDU DUBE on 05/01/2022 08:31:00 MBABANE - “We need to conform.” That was the message shared by Chief Executive Officer of Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture, Stanley Dlamini in a interview with the publication. He shared his advice when asked on the hosting regulations under the Adjusted Risk Level One, which states that entertainment events should be outdoors and for not more than 500 people, for a period not exceeding two and a half hours. Dlamini urged event organisers to conform to regulations set by government to consider the sector. “We understand the plight of local entertainers and some events don’t suit the time stipulated. As a sector, we need to adhere to the regulations set by the government. We do not want a situation whereby the government is not willing to consider the sector as we have failed to conform. Let us be seen adhering to all regulations,” he said. Trends He went on to encourage creatives to look further into other countries and try applying prevailing trends. “We can still utilise the permitted time. We can do brief events just to keep the sector alive. The importance of checking prevailing trends is very important. Artists need to look for relevant trends and what other countries are doing to survive. This year we all need to be strategic for us to have a productive year,” he said. Dlamini also assured that his office would meet to design strategies that will keep the sector alive and most importantly, sustain the industry. “We will be having meetings to discuss solutions and present a strategic plan for creatives. More information about our plans will be shared on this publication,” he added. Meanwhile, the publication earlier reported the emphasis of adhering to the regulations; the reminder was inspired by the past crossover events. The message was shared by the Deputy Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli. Decision According to Mdluli, the reason government took the decision was to limit the spread of COVID-19. She said the regulations were not meant to frustrate people but rather contain an escalating health situation, which required the public to be responsible. “The regulations are very clear on how we should gather. For example, under Adjusted Risk Level One, religious gatherings should not exceed three hours. What this means is that people can have church services but not all night services, as long as they adhere to COVID-19 health protocols. Likewise, in terms of the regulations, entertainment events should be outdoors with not more than 500 people, for a period not exceeding two and a half hours. What is important is for people to adhere to COVID-19 health protocols and to always remember that we are currently in the middle of the fourth wave of the pandemic,” she said. Meanwhile, some event organisers concurred with the CEO of ENCAC, they urged patrons to also help in curbing the spread of COVID-19. “The current COVID-19 pandemic has halted the sector and for us to be back again we need to curb the spread of the virus. Maybe one day we will get a solution. We can only plead for people to get vaccinated and take the booster shots,” said Sbu da Drum DJ. “This is a very serious matter, we have felt the wrath of the pandemic we need to do this for our safety we can still bounce back to our online platforms and find means of making money,” said Emily Ndlovu, who is a local event organiser. On another note, France has announced tighter COVID-19 restrictions amid concerns over the Omicron variant. Gatherings From Monday, remote working became compulsory for those who can and public gatherings will be limited to 2 000 people for indoor events. The news comes as France recorded more than 100 000 new infections on Saturday - the highest number reported since the pandemic began. But France’s prime minister did not bring in a New Year’s Eve curfew. Countries across Europe are tightening restrictions as infections rise and the new Omicron variant spreads through the continent. According to the country’s coronavirus dashboard, France currently has an average of more than 70 000 new daily infections. On Monday, more than 1 600 new hospitalisations were recorded, bringing the total number of people in hospital as a result of Covid-19 to 17 000, according to data from France’s public health authority. Elsewhere in Europe, additional restrictions were announced in Germany and Greece as governments seek to stem the tide of positive cases. Gatherings in Germany had been restricted and gyms, swimming pools, nightclubs and cinemas would be closed to the public in several states. Private gatherings of vaccinated people will also be limited to a maximum of 10. From Monday, the Greek government announced that bars and restaurants would close by midnight and tables will be limited to six customers. Venues would not be allowed to cater for standing customers, and if they do not comply, music would be banned in those establishments, the Reuters news agency reported. Infections Denmark - a country of 5.8 million people - currently has the world’s highest infection rate, with 1 612 cases per 100 000 people. Seven deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours. It has closed cultural attractions and limited opening hours in bars and restaurants in a bid to stem new infections. And before Christmas, Iceland cut the number of people allowed at gatherings amid soaring case numbers. Until mid-December, the island nation had never reported more than 200 daily cases, but in the past 24 hours it has registered a record 672 infections. Restrictions on opening hours came into force on bars and restaurants in Finland on yesterday, with bars closing at 6pm and restaurants allowed to serve food until 8pm, as long as customers have a COVID-19 passport. Some fast food chains have said they will also close at 6pm. When compiling this report, the country had recorded five deaths and a total number of 155 COVID-19 positive cases. The findings were confirmed by the Minister of Health, Lizzie Nkosi, through a report. According to the ministry, results were received from a total of 870 tests. There are 3 505 active cases and 105 admission.