Wesley Ellul

Wesley Ellul, General Manager of Ticketline.com.mt and Founder of theatre group The Comedy Knights took to social media to criticise the country’s health authorities for “discriminating” against the arts and entertainment industries through the implementation of what he deems “unequal” COVID-19 measures.

In a press conference earlier today, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that standing events will not be permitted on the Maltese islands in the foreseeable future.

He also announced that seated events will be permitted in clusters of up to 300 people from 16th August, and up to 500 people from 30th August – provided that guests are either vaccinated or in possession of a negative PCR test. For the time being, seated events are permitted in clusters of 150 – 200 people.

“It’s ok to have PV full of people mixing and mingling when we don’t even know who is there, but one can’t organize an event with contact tracing which would help stop the spread in case of a positive case,” Mr Ellul wrote.

Edward Mercieca, Founder and Senior Principal at Stagecoach Malta took to the comments section of Mr Ellul’s post to share a similar sentiment.

“I went to watch the wonderful MADC play, Midsummer at San Anton… there was no safer place in Malta! And yet, theatre has the book thrown at it whilst ‘exceptions’ get away with murder,” he wrote.

Malta’s arts and events community has long been accusing Government of discriminating against it through its COVID-19 measures.

In light of this, minutes after today’s press conference the Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) called on Government to implement a number of measures including but not limited to a road map till the end of the year, a seat compensation scheme for theatres and cinemas,  and financial support to operators that still cannot operate due to restrictions.

“Sorry Chris Fearne, but your logic doesn’t track. The only difference is big money and not if standing events can’t happen. You need to close PV,” Mr Ellul concluded.

Featured Image:

Wesley Ellul / LinkedIn

Related

Arkadia

‘Truly excited to dive headfirst into this role’: Dave Shaw named General Manager at Arkadia

28 March 2024
by Fabrizio Tabone

He previously worked as Associate Director – Infrastructure – Markets at KPMG Malta for more than five years.

MEA President calls for economic objectives to be designed in tandem with well-being indicators

28 March 2024
by Fabrizio Tabone

Joanne Bondin was speaking during the association’s 59th AGM, focusing on the need for an economic transformation that moves people ...

CEO Arnaud Denis says 2023 was a year of ‘consolidation and delivery’ for MeDirect

28 March 2024
by Fabrizio Tabone

Over the year, it recorded increases in profitability, driven by a rise in loans and advances to financial institutions and ...

‘There is no finish line when battling financial crime’ – BOV CEO Kenneth Farrugia

27 March 2024
by Robert Fenech

Malta has been criticised for its slow implementation of anti-currption recommendations made five years ago.

Close Bitnami banner
Bitnami