AFTER months of closure due to Covid-19, national performance spaces are re-opened in keeping with the Public Health Regulations with a rental discount fee of 50% until the end of 2020.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts in a press release on Wednesday stated that four facilities under the purview of the ministry can now host events.
These venues are, Queen’s Hall and the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port-of-Spain and the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA) and Naparima Bowl in San Fernando.
In addition to the health and safety guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH) for cinemas and theatres, these spaces follow health and safety guidelines created specifically for their industry but developed in collaboration with the MOH.
Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell said, “We are cognisant of the need to provide people with an avenue to enjoy our culture and the arts. But we are equally adamant that this must be done at no risk to our health and safety, which is why Queen’s Hall, Naparima Bowl, NAPA and SAPA worked with the Ministry of Health to come up with protocols for their spaces.”
Already, a number of shows, such as Steelin’ the NIGHT featuring the National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO), the National Theatre Arts Company and the National Philharmonic Orchestra, are scheduled to be hosted in these spaces, the ministry stated.
Mitchell added, “The technical and production teams must follow Covid-19 regulations. Administrators also insist on very strict protocols for patrons, so overall everyone is in a space that’s adhering to best practices.”
The full guidelines for the national performance spaces are available on the Ministry’s website and can be found at https://bit.ly/2J98Vjh
