All set for I Love Soca tonight

Organisers of tonight's I Love Soca fete say they are pulling out all the stops to ensure patrons will be able to enjoy themselves at this evening's event at Stadium East in Kingston.

I Love Soca is the first large event that is being staged in Jamaica since the COVID-19 forced ban on entertainment events was lifted on July 1.

"My team and I recognise the importance of a safe event staging, being the first approved large event subsequent to the protracted 'events lockdown period.' The patrons can be confident that we are creating a safe environment for them to enjoy themselves," Andrew Bellamy, CEO of I Love Soca, said yesterday.

"All protocols are in place with heightened health and safety measures to protect our patrons," Bellamy said while appealing to patrons to protect themselves and the others by obeying the protocols.

Subjected to temperature checks

Patrons will be subjected to temperature checks and will be required to sanitise upon entry. They are also required to wear masks.

For tonight's events, the organisers have created a 'VIP-Vaccinated Only' option, which allows patrons who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to use a separate entrance into the venue once they show their immunisation card and their ID. These patrons will be allowed to party on an elevated deck with amenities such as their 'vaxxed only' bar and restrooms.

Bellamy said that patrons, in group of 10, will be able to party in a cordoned off area.

"We are cognisant that it has been quite a while since our soca lovers had the I Love Soca experience and they may become exuberant; so we have constructed pre-built fete zones for our patrons. This is in the general section to ensure adequate distancing along with our COVID-19 compliance marshalls to enforce the correct mask-wearing protocol at all times, except when they are engaged in beverage consumption. We will also have the protocol reminders by the DJs, a pre-recording being played every 20 minutes and multiple signs throughout the venue," Bellamy said.