The entertainment industry is feeling the impact of the Corona virus outbreak, with a series of high-profile closures and postponements. The rapid spread of Corona virus disease that broke in 2019 is making headlines across the globe and leading to numerous and substandard deferments, cancellations and bans.

It’s all chaos and the entertainment industry is not loving it.The virus primarily spreads when one person breathes in droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. In addition, any infected person, with or without symptoms, could spread the virus by touching a surface. It could remain on that surface and someone else could touch it and then touch their mouth, nose or eyes.

That's why it's so important to try to avoid touching public surfaces or at least try to wipe them with a disinfectant.Worldwide nearly 175,000 people have contracted the Corona virus with the World Health Organization reporting cases in at least 135 countries, territories or areas.Cases of this novel virus are being discovered in new countries almost daily. 

On Wednesday March 11, the World Health Organization declared it a global pandemic, with approximately 118,000 cases in 114 countries and near 4,300 deaths.The virus has found a foothold on almost every continent and Southern African region has not been spared. This week a number of cases were confirmed throughout the region in South Africa. With the travel industry being heavily affected by the spread of Corona virus, this has also had serious implications for the entertainment industry in Botswana.

Whilst we all agree that safety must come first, this will have a significant impact on the entertainment industry, and the earning potential of the artistes, as most don't have supplemental income. It can likely be a financial disaster for entertainers as work lessens. Promoters will not be spared either, as they will now find themselves ‘out of pocket’ in instances where infrastructure and obligations would have already been met and they have no alternative but to postpone their events.

Botswana Entertainment Promoters Association BEPA convened on Monday afternoon in an effort to map a way forward from this pandemic. The Association brought together its members, majority which are event promoters, organizers as well as venue owners. Together they decided on what to propose to the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Arts and Sport Development Tumiso Rakgare pertaining to all the cancellations and postponements caused by the Corona virus.

‘’We need answers, we are all equally worried about the Corona virus because it affects us one way or the other. I think it’s also appropriate to call the Minister to come and address us on how best we can go about this. In postponing these events, we lose lot of money we invested in these events and we don’t know what’s going to happen next. We proposing events go on because we have solutions, but still if government does not accept these suggestions, there is nothing we can do,’’ one promoter said in an interview with Weekend Life on condition of anonymity.

Exotic who is also a protuberant event promoter held that sometimes they ought to own up to their responsibility as citizens to curb the pandemic. ‘’Sometimes own up as a citizen, don’t wait to be told to own up because you will find that you are told very late. Act now, take full responsibility as a citizen to contribute to the prevention of Corona virus, let’s all postpone our festivals.’’However, the meeting was not inclusive to the media therefore, what was pondered is yet to be shared in due time.

The Ministry however dispatched on their social media that ‘’MYSC leadership met with Botswana Entertainment Promoters Association to discuss issues concerning the entertainment industry. The Honorable  Minister emphasized the need to take extra precautions in the wake of the Corona virus, and implored promoters to consider government's decision to limit events especially those with more than 100 people.’’

Hamptons Jazz Festival which was initially scheduled to take place this coming Saturday, Debbie Smith took to social media to express her gloomy emotion about the postponement of her prominent jazz fest.
‘’Words fail me guys! My team & I put some hard work for nearly a year. Regardless, we could never day dream of putting the public at risk and I fell this is wrong timing. We will be strong again and I must say decision to postpone the event is slowly sinking in.’’

Gaborone International Music and Culture Week (GIMC) founder, Fish Pabalinga also pooled his blue opinions. ‘’This winter is going to be very cold for the creative industry.’’Pabalinga shared a statement on his official Facebook page that read ‘’The GIMC Family Fun Day that was scheduled for Saturday 4 April 2020 at Bojanala Water Front has been postponed to a later date to be communicated in due course. The Corona Virus, (Covid-19) is a serious health hazard that cannot be risked and certainly not with children around.

Those that purchased tickets, kindly keep them safe as they will be valid for when the event happens later in the year.’’Some of the other prominent events that felt the heat from Corona virus include Soul Fill Up with Franco. On Monday afternoon, the management of the much anticipated event called a press conference that updated the media about the festival going on amid Corona virus scares.Few minutes later, reporters acknowledged calls apprising them to make a reappearance to the venue where the presser was held, on dramatic turn of events. The event was postponed indefinitely. Toropo ya Muka could not be spared, as it writhed the same effects.

According to press statements shared, some events are confirmed to take place late this year while some stakeholders are yet to meet and reach an agreement on when to hold down the event.