Deputy Government Commissioner and leader of the Queen of Queens, King of Kings troupe Alida Francis (right) during the 2019 Statia Carnival celebrations. (File photo)
ST. EUSTATIUS--The public entity St. Eustatius has decided that, in the interest of public health, the Statia 2020 Carnival celebrations are cancelled indefinitely.
Although meetings were held with the Carnival Foundation, Musical Foundation and St. Eustatius Lions Club to discuss different scenarios, including postponing Carnival to later in the year, the government commissioners are of the opinion that continuing with Carnival preparations would be “an irresponsible thing to do given the times in which we are living.”
“Carnival is the largest cultural festival. The manner in which Carnival is celebrated will not allow for social distancing, which is one of the main precautionary measures necessary to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. There will be more opportunities in the future to celebrate Carnival,” said Government Commissioner Marnix van Rij.
Annually, the public entity is one of the main contributors to Statia’s Carnival. Taking into account the negative impact, the effects the COVID-19 pandemic is already having on the economy of Statia and the anticipated decline in income the public entity will experience as a direct result of this, it would be “irresponsible” to grant permission for Carnival in any form, the public entity said Monday in a statement.
“Local businesses are already suffering. Some residents already have less money to spend. It would be counterproductive for the business sector and community to spend limited resources on Carnival 2020.”
The local authority has reached out to the Dutch government for support, which has been granted through an Emergency Package and additional measures to help the local government and employers. Organising Carnival in 2020 would be sending the “wrong message on every level,” the public entity said.
Other relevant parties consulted about Carnival 2020 included the Caribbean Netherlands Fire Brigade BKCN, Caribbean Netherlands Police Force KPCN, the Public Health Department GGD, the Island Policy Team EBT and the Advisory Council.
The report of the Netherlands Institute for Public Health and the Environment RIVM also played a “very important role” in the decision to cancel the 2020 Carnival celebrations, the public entity said.
