Tribe bandleader: We’re at the mercy of the covid19 virus

The question of Carnival has been on the minds of many. Some think it is too early to bring up the question of whether there is going to be a Carnival 2021 and some think it should be cancelled.

The Carnival organisation Tribe has decided that it would be premature to make a decision about Carnival 2021.

In a media release on Monday, Dean Ackin, Tribe’s bandleader, said he had been contacted by many about plans for next year’s Carnival.

He said, “We are humbled by your faith in Tribe, but we too are at the mercy of this virus. The official Carnival date is nine months away and, given the current state of affairs in the world, it would be premature of me to make a declaration about it at this time.”

Ackin said plans can only be made when the experts responsible for guiding the response to the covid19 pandemic indicate what is best for everyone.

“I am mindful that this illness is life threatening and that there is likely to be an economic aftershock that will affect many people, including the entire Carnival ‘eco-system’ – from musician to the taxi driver to the vendor. These two factors will guide us as we move into the future.”

Ackin said it would only be safe to return to the streets when a vaccine or treatments are developed and widely available, or when the experts sufficiently relax social-distancing rules.

“You cannot be the ‘life of the party’ without life, so protecting lives therefore comes first. Life and limb will always take priority over fete and fun, so let us all take a moment to pause and reflect that one day we will all be together again.”

Ackin promised to keep the public informed.