Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley today, had indicated that his administration is prepared to cancel Carnival celebrations next year.
This, as the two island republic, like all other Caribbean countries, continues to battle the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) that has so far killed 72 people there and infected 4,362 others.
“In 72 hours we will be in October and if at this time in October we are still in the throes of a pandemic, it would be madness to be talking about Carnival in February. I see no future for Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago in the months ahead,” Rowley told a forum on the national budget here.
He told the forum that it would take something dramatic to reverse his thoughts on the matter.
Rowley said Trinidad and Tobago should nonetheless look on the bright side, despite the fact that the cancellation could result in millions of dollars of lost revenue.
“Let us be thankful that we’re all still alive to see each other’s face. Let us remember what our country passed through in 1918,” he said, making reference to the Spanish flu pandemic.
Prime Minister Rowley added that while he understands the economic fallout that the decision will have, he’s more interested in saving lives.
