COVID-19 came to Anguilla’s shores in March 2020 and has resulted in some far-reaching decisions that have had economic and social implications. Anguilla’s ports closed to regular sea and air travel; hospitality – related properties closed or reduced their services and consequently their staff; mass gatherings were restricted and the Government took the decision to cancel the Anguilla’s Summer Festival. While some persons accepted the cancellation of the Summer Festival as being necessary to curtail mass gatherings and therefore the potential contraction and spread of COVID-19, others were of the view that the decision was primarily based on the reduced revenue available to Government to fund the usual carnival festivities.
Anguilla, through careful management has, since its initial three cases, been able to keep COVID-19 at bay. This position is one we all hope Anguilla can maintain indefinitely. In the face of Anguilla’s COVID Free status, Anguillians determined that while there would be no official Summer Festival – there would be festivities to mark the usual week of carnival revelry. While the usual visitors, particularly our neighbours from St. Maarten/St. Martin, who travel to our shores to enjoy Anguilla’s Summer Festival, were missed, Anguillians and residents were determined to enjoy themselves and did just that. This year’s informal carnival activities saw not just one street jam but three.
The more cautious among us have questioned the wisdom of engaging in mass revelry while COVID-19 continues to make its presence felt throughout the world, and particularly in neighbouring St. Maarten, which is right on our doorstep. The possibility of asymptomatic persons being in our midst has been raised. The absence of masks during the revelrywas also of concern for some persons. These concerns are legitimate and one hopes they were not simply dismissed.
The apparent desire of many Anguillians and residents to feel a sense of normalcy by engaging in the usual revelry associated with carnival is also to be respected. Many persons have experienced significant negative changes in their financial and social circumstances. Difficulty is being experienced in meeting food and utility bills. Loans are going unpaid and school-related costs are looming. The usual social activities that serve as stress relievers have been curtailed, particularly activities that attract a financial cost.
Is it possible that the week of revelry provided not only some much needed stress relief but also an opportunity for persons to make some much needed money? It is unlikely that the personal circumstances of individuals will change during the next ten weeks, as the Government has made it clear that the ports will remain closed to normal travel activity at least until 31st October, 2020. Persons, directly and indirectly, reliant on the hospitality industry have no real hope of seeing their financial prospects improve in the near future. The opportunity provided by the week of revelry, for persons to forget the pressures of the world, was no doubt appreciated by many. All too soon our current realities will consume our attention and the moments of revelry, hopefully, will be a source of fond memories rather than regrets.
While it is unlikely that the week’s activities will positively impact the Government’s Consolidated Fund, it is possible that individuals were able to improve their financial circumstances and will, therefore, be better able to address their current realities. We can only hope that in the face of scarce resources persons are making prudent financial decisions as they try to appropriately address their needs and wants.
Government, Anguillians and residents all have difficult decisions to make, as together we face and try to conquer COVID-19 and its impacts. Differing viewpoints must not prevent us from actively working together to preserve our declared COVID Free status, while making a way for Anguillians and residents to experience a satisfactory social and financial lifestyle. Hopefully Anguilla’s carnival innovations have improved the social and financial circumstances of many persons, while not adversely affecting our COVID Free status.
