Without official protocols, events industry unable to plan for expected 16th August reopening

The Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) has issued a stark warning that the sector cannot plan any activities after 16th August, when standing events are provisionally planned to reopen, as no guidelines have yet been issued.

The association pointed out that the Malta Tourism Authority cannot authorise risk assessments, VAT event ticket permits cannot be issued, and producers cannot commit to their event or confirm performers, “let alone market it”.

MEIA insisted on the publication of the relevant guidelines and support schemes, noting that “unfortunately, after our discussions with authorities, there are still several points … which have still not been published to date”.

Early in July, Minister for Health Chris Fearne announced the return of standing events, saying, “If the situation and the numbers allow us to do so, we will consider allowing standing events with small numbers after Santa Marija.”

“That way, we can continue approaching normality.”

Soon after Minister Fearne’s announcement, and despite the conditional nature of his statement, popular club promotor Glitch Club Series opened ticket sales for a stand-up event on 16th August, which was sold out in minutes.

The event proved so popular that another two nights were added, with tickets selling out just as quickly.

In its statement, MEIA said: “With our country now being very close to 85 per cent herd immunity thanks to the vaccine roll out and uptake, it has certainly made the difference to lessen deaths and hospitalisations.”

It maintained that “our industry requires planning in order to operate.”

MEIA said that its members, including all industry professionals, are starting to feel they are being taken for a ride, and highlighted that these shortcomings are affecting the lives of people.

“It's already difficult as it is. Please stop making it harder!”