From left: Treasurer of SCDF Mike Granger, Minister of VSA Omar Ottley with a copy of the SCDF’s COVID Safety plan, President of SCDF Alson Lourens and Vice President of SCDF Paula Gordon.
PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) presented the foundation’s COVID-19 Safety Plan for Carnival 2022 to Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley on Monday.
The plan builds on SCDF’s existing safety plan which would have been put in place if Carnival 2021 had been held earlier this year. The foundation said it has expanded the coronavirus protocols, keeping in mind government’s initiatives and the availability of a vaccine.
The plan covers every aspect of Carnival and will be divulged to the public shortly, once the minister and his team have had time to peruse it. President of SCDF Alston Lourens said the foundation and the minister are already on the same page with many aspects of the plan.
“Now we need to continue to work together to ensure we have a safe festival and maybe make some Caribbean history in the process. The plan includes a promotion aspect that kicks off soon. It is important for us to use the months leading up to Carnival to not just promote the festival, but also accomplish certain goals. We have been very thorough,” said Lourens.
He went on to thank the minister for meeting with the foundation and exchanging ideas for Carnival 2022. SCDF is in the middle of its registration process for Carnival 2022 and has already closed off registration for booth holders and international shows. All booths are allocated and all shows assigned.
