We will survive

As we start to see the Christmas decorations on display; I must say, I am not quite sure if I’m relieved or still in complete denial that the year could be at an end.

What a year! Is it me or are you also just tired and want to continue living and enjoying face-to-face interactions, even if it means being in a mask and using copious amounts of sanitiser on a daily basis?

I think the soundtrack that keeps invading my head space has been – ‘I will survive!’ In fact, the anthem I’ve lived to the last few months has to be ‘the business events industry will survive!’

I think 2020 has certainly been the closest we have all come to living in the Wild West with all its uncertainty; except for all the health and safety regulations and, of course, sanitisers, face masks and temperature checks.

Here in South Africa we are definitely more relaxed as our Covid-19 active cases seem to be stable. Government regulations, however, haven’t really eased on the business events industry; the restrictions on ‘gatherings’ still stands at 250 indoors and 500 outdoors.

I know I keep harping on this but our sector is by no means just a ‘gathering’ of people – we are so controlled and regulated and, if anything, we have proven over and over again that our sector is ready to host bigger groups in a controlled, health and safety first, environment. We have guidelines and yet we are still limited.

Regarding exhibitions – where do I start? – the number limits for exhibitions just make no sense. Quite frankly, I would feel safer at an exhibition, which is controlled and follows all the health and safety guidelines, than I feel when I visit a shopping mall with who-knowswho.

I am hoping that the Restart Expo initiative at the end of November will get government to reconsider. This event will showcase how exhibitions and events can be hosted safely with all the required Covid-19 health and safety protocols in place. This initiative has the support of the business events industry. The Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane has accepted the invitation to attend. Hopefully things will start to change sooner than later.

So, as I look to the end of the year, top of my wish list has to be the easing of regulations on the business events sector so that we can restart and do what we do best!

The world continues to spin; and though the USA may have a new president and a number of European countries go into lockdown; the fact is we have to continue. Covid-19 is here to stay for an unpredictable timeframe. While numbers decrease in our region, we need to find a way forward with the presence of Covid-19.

South Africa most certainly cannot afford to go into another lockdown.

Irene

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com