250 HELD AT ‘ZESSER’ FETE

IT WAS a tale of two parties.

One, a “zesser” (community dancehall) fete, saw police swooping down and arresting hundreds in Kelly Village, Caroni on Sunday morning for breaching covid19 health regulations.

The other, a posh wedding reception spread over three nights in Valsayn which was attended by several dozen people including businessmen and politicians, with no intervention by police.

On Sunday, police charged 250 people for breaching the Public Health Ordinance after they were held at the “zesser” fete at a private residence in River Branch Trace in Kelly Village. Following news of the raid, many took to social media to highlight what they considered a double standard, after video recordings of the three-night wedding reception were shared online.

Section 4(d) of the ordinance forbids public fetes or parties, while Section 6 allows for wedding ceremonies not to exceed 50 per cent capacity of the venue. There is no law on receptions at a private residence. The “zesser” party was held at a private residence, just as the wedding reception was.

DISTINCTION MADE

In a media release on Sunday, Police Commissioner Gary Griffith made a distinction between why one was stopped and charges laid while the other was not.

“Persons inviting their family and personal friends in small numbers to their home on private property is something totally different, as there is no law being broken, but they do have a responsibility to act in consideration of covid19 guidelines and protocols,” Griffith said.

“This is totally different to 'zesser' parties, where organisers are advertising prior to the event and patrons are paying a cover charge to enter the premises of persons they do not even know, with a cash bar at the event. This takes away the get-out-of-jail-free card of the event being held on private property.”

Asked if the wedding reception breached public health regulations, Griffith, in a telephone interview with Newsday, said “no,” as there was no cover charge to enter and guests were invited to a private residence. He added that it is different from a party at a private property where people are being made to pay, thus turning the private party into a public event.

He added if the wedding reception hall was paid for, then it borders on being a public party and can be treated in the same manner as the “zesser” party was treated.

Griffith said there are things he can do to “frustrate” patrons at such private events (as the wedding) adding if there were “hundreds” packed on the dance floor then he might be able to act as it might be deemed a threat to health and safety.

Contacted on this issue, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said to legislate the happenings of private functions would be to trespass on people’s constitutional rights.

“In some jurisdictions they have gone that route; we have not. It is a balancing measure between saving lives and livelihoods.”

On Saturday, during the bi-monthly covid19 update, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh urged the private sector not to host Christmas parties.

Al-Rawi said while laws are under constant review, he emphasised that to police private functions will need an act of Parliament.

“There is no perfect formula for common sense. Some countries have gone as far as a state of emergency. We have not done that. Our advocacy is to urge people to exercise common sense. We can’t legislate responsibility. Not everyone is misbehaving.”

He added that while some countries were shutting down, TT was opening up, slowly.

RESIDENTS VEX

Newsday was informed that the wedding reception in Valsayn caused concern among members of that community’s home-owners association who were upset there was such a gathering in their midst during the pandemic.

Government officials were said to have attended.

The reception was a three-night affair beginning Thursday and ending on Saturday.

Griffith in his release added: “It is amazing, that mere hours after Prime Minister Dr Rowley and Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh stressed on the dangers of large social gatherings at public events, over 250 citizens would throw caution to the wind and participate in such an event, which not only endangers those who attend, but now these 250 plus persons will be returning to their homes to also endanger their loved ones and the wider public.”

On Saturday, Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram said there has been an uptick in positive cases reported and while the figures are small, graphically, it should be of national concern.

Video recordings of the “zesser” party showed one man firing his gun in the air. When police arrived at the event, partygoers ran, causing a stampede. One man who ran to the roof of the building was dragged off. Other videos showed what could be described as lewd and suggestive dancing by one woman.

At the wedding reception, there were belly dancers and tassa drumming and it was hosted by a popular local radio personality and soca singer. Hours after the “zesser” party was quashed, partygoers were seen gathering in public beyond the lawful ten or under quota and many were not wearing face masks.

While the party in Caroni was being raided, Newsday was told of another “zesser” fete in St James. Told of this, Griffith said: “I am paranging from ‘zesser’ house to ‘zesser’ house this year to shut them down.”