Features
Disregarding Covid-19 guidelines and this is the result…
The local showbiz scene, and the country, in general, is back to square one – solely because the people opted to do things, their own way, unconcerned about the pandemic, raging the world over, and doing considerable damage to our part of the world, as well.
Those connected with wedding ceremonies, broke all the rules – despite being told about the number of guests allowed, social distancing, face masks, and dancing.
I would also blame the hotels concerned for permitting those connected with such ceremonies, to break all the health guidelines.
How did the hotel turn a blind eye to such happenings when it was very clearly mentioned that only the bride and bridegroom could trip the light fantastic!
In another instance – involving another known hotel, in the city – two separate bookings were made by the same party in order to overcome the new rule of only 50 guests allowed at a wedding function.
However, owing to the prevailing situation, and people scared to step out of their homes, the wedding party did not have the full quota of guests invited – 100. Here again violating the rules, and that’s only 50 guests.
I’m surprise that some of the hotels, in the city, allowed guests to flout the Covid health guidelines.
However, I’m told that the hotels, in the outskirts, handled the situation in a professional way.
Before commencement of a wedding function, a video was shown, indicating to those present the rules, and regulations, laid down by the health authorities.
However, it’s noteworthy that most of the musicians preferred to abide by the official health guidelines, wherever they performed, especially at entertainment venues.
Sohan: All studio activities cancelled
Unfortunately, the guests, patronising such venues, were unconcerned about social distancing, wearing masks, sanitizers, etc.
This has led to the closing down of all entertainment venues, and wedding ceremonies, and so it’s tough going, once again, for those doing the entertainment scene.
There’s talk that quite a few of our musicians are seriously thinking of calling it a day, at least temporarily, where music is concerned.
Sohan Weerasinghe, leader of the X-Periments, says he has done away with rehearsals, and studio work, as he doesn’t want his members to take any risks by having to travel to his place for practice sessions, etc.
Benjy Ranabahu, too, has put on hold all rehearsals, and even live performances, where his band Aquarius is concerned.
“We did have confirmed bookings, before the lockdown, but declined the offers because of the current situation in the country,” said Benjy.