How exactly will the authorities execute this week’s upcoming Gros Islet Friday Night street party was not known prior to press time yesterday, however, the concerns expressed in certain quarters about the mass crowd event, which is making a comeback almost two years after it was shut down due to COVID-19, are under consideration by organisers.
Gros Islet representative, Kenson Casimir, Monday told reporters that the concerns expressed by certain people regarding the Friday Night event were taken on board by government.
Said Casimir, “This government is always concerned about how we protect our people, how we keep them safe so today (Monday) we’ll be having some thorough discussions on exactly how we institute a Gros Islet Friday Night that is as safe as possible.”
Casimir said that for over two years Gros Islet vendors have been suffering, unable to ply their trade and provide basic amenities for their families.
“And so with the activities we see islandwide, as the parliamentary representative for Gros Iset, I would obviously want to see that the vendors can make some livelihood for their families and so we are having discussions today, and Gros Islet Friday Night is going to happen, we’re just going to ensure that it is done in a scaled down manner,” he said.
Casimir said that there would be none of the big activities that he initially would have wanted as the community’s parliamentary representative. He assured however that the event would be made as safe as possible for attendees.
“This Friday is the date that we mentioned very early on for Gros Islet Friday Night. Like I said, the actual activity, and how it will be instituted I guess by tomorrow you will get more information after this cabinet meeting on exactly how we’re going to execute Gros Islet Friday Night, he said.
But with rising COVID-19 cases in country is there a possibility that Friday Night could be postponed?
“Everything is subject to the conversations, the negotiations that we have undergone. I mean, we are a government that continues to do everything in a responsible fashion. We’ve had a number of rumours circulating in the community that we are no longer going to have Gros Islet Friday Night. I could tell you as the minister and the Member for Parliament for that area, we are seeking to host Gros Islet Friday Night in a safe environment. Let’s face it, we have mass crowds, we have activities ongoing in Saint Lucia right now. That is just the reality. I, as the parliamentary representative, want to see the vendors get some semblance of relief and that is all it’s about,” Casimir said.