August 3 and 4 holidays legally formalized

The decision to have August 3 and 4 as public holidays in 2020, to replace CARICOM Day and Carnival Day has been legally formalized.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, while speaking on NBC Radio on Wednesday said the change was made official on June 12 through statutory rule and order 21 of 2020 pursuant to the Public Holidays Act.

The Prime Minister had announced on May 14, that “Carnival Monday and Tuesday”, this year, which had been scheduled for July 6 and 7, will be given in August, and that these new holidays will follow two days after Emancipation Day, annually celebrated on August 1, which falls on a Saturday this year.

This decision followed the decision by Cabinet to cancel Vincy Mas 2020, following the recommendation of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC).

The CDC made this recommendation based on a number of reasons, including the pandemic’s economic fallout having an effect on the spending power of potential revellers and sponsors; the difficulty sourcing materials in a timely manner; and the appearance of insensitivity to the plight of others affected by COVID-19 had we proceeded to play mas and party.

While mention has been made about a summer festival happening in August, this is dependent on the circumstances; the Prime Minister had previously noted that the country is in “unchartered territory.”