Cedric Gidarisingh, a director of the Trident Events Group that had organised the Rub-A-Dub event, said he is “disappointed” by the way in which government shut the event down.
Around 9:05pm on Saturday, police and staff from Public Health went to the Lions Centre, where the party was being held, and issued the emergency order to cancel the event.
A government statement was issued subsequently advising the public of the decision, and also recommended the cancellation of large events.
In a telephone interview with the Cayman Compass on Sunday, Gidarisingh said, up until doors opened, he was under the impression that he had the green light to proceed, based on prior approvals received and the adjusted public health regulations.
“None of the four departments that I got approval from informed me of any intention to cancel the event, either the night before or prior to the commencement of the event,” Gidarisingh told the Compass.
He said he called government officials, including the health minister, but no one advised him, and no documents were released, to cancel the party.
Approvals were received in advance of Saturday, he said, and when Premier Wayne Panton announced the removal of the partitioned allowance for venues, reverting to the 250 restriction, he adjusted the event.
He said the gates opened at 7pm and the evening was already underway when, using an emergency order from interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. Autilia Newton, police and Public Health intervened.
This was in response to the detection of 23 suspected Omicron cases in the community. Four cases had previously been confirmed.
Gidarisingh said the event had already started when someone forwarded him a social media post with an image of an emergency order letter, stating that the event was shut down.
“I’m disappointed, because I do not understand how [the social media platform] received the document and other confidential information prior to me receiving it. If it leaked out from government … that’s really sad,” Gidarsingh said.
“From a marketing perspective, I cannot say that the Group cancelled the event. Full production, vendors, venue rental and time was already executed and the event had already commenced. As such, attorneys advised that due to the expenses already incurred, there was no basis under which refunds could be implemented. Additionally, the event was advertised on all platforms as a non-refundable event,” he added.
“I only can apologise, and I reassured [patrons] that we have our part to play in the spread of COVID and the safety of our people. Safety comes first at the end of the day,” he said.
“I want to assure that we were complying with what the government and the letter stated.”
Gidarisingh said given the government notice recommending the cancellation of large gatherings, he is uncertain of the outcome for upcoming events planned for the holiday season.
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