AAXO NEWS

Venues need a 50 per cent capacity ruling.

The stark reality of a 2021 South Africa is the acceptance of the presence of the Covid-19 virus and our responsibility as a society to take the necessary precautions to keep each other safe. This being said, the pandemic’s reach should not be allowed to further cripple our economy and leave our workforce rudderless.

By Charles Wilson, chief executive officer of Gallagher Convention Centre

The events industry has harshly suffered the consequences of the initial necessary steps to curb the spread of the virus. As an industry, we accepted the limitations, kept our doors shut and did our best to keep our staff going as best possible. But, amidst this, we were like the proverbial ducks, paddling under the surface to come up with feasible plans to preserve the future of our industry and, more importantly, our people.

As an industry, we acknowledge the importance of safety regulations, and venues such as Gallagher Convention Centre are committed to taking every precaution for the safety of our staff and guests.

A venue like Gallagher is able to efficiently operate at 50 per cent of our capacity whilst maintaining the required social distancing and observing every precaution to prevent the spread of the virus. Gallagher already has strict protocols in place for entering the property, food safety in light of the pandemic, social distancing and safety officers to monitor the execution of the protocols.

With responsible events our first priority and information such as a recent study by MIT researchers that challenges our current ideas on venue capacities stating that it is presented as a more significant risk than the reality, the current restrictions leave venues such as Gallagher Convention Centre asking “why?”

Why are exhibitions and conferences hailed as mass events when they are not? Exhibitions are retail activities, and conferences are business meetings.

Why are we forced to retrench staff and lose decades of experience due to severe restrictions on our trade?

Why are we not allowed to work responsibly to feed our families?

Why are industries such as bars, restaurants, malls, shebeens, and casinos open, but we are not allowed to operate at a feasible capacity?

Why can’t we run responsible exhibitions and conferences and be contributing tax to the economy?

Why are we left with no option but to rely on limited government aid when we are capable of looking after ourselves?

Why not allow us to operate at fifty per cent of our capacity?