Hundreds at rave in Guernsey as life continues despite Covid
Ravers packed into a live music venue in Guernsey as nightlife continues as normal despite the global coronavirus pandemic.
The party took place while the UK’s entertainment venues remain mothballed indefinitely during the third lockdown.
The event took place legally because the Channel Island has been able to confine cases to a relatively tiny number.
DJs played drum and bass at the rave two weeks ago, which was held in a room complete with laser and strobe lighting.
Around 250 people were in the crowd for the ‘brilliant’ night.
The DnB Rollers Instagram channel used the island’s rave nickname as it captioned the clip: ‘Shellin down in Covid-free Gurnsey.’
One music fan replied: ‘Is this what it is like in Guernsey right now? I wish I was there and at this event.’
Another said: ‘One-way ticket to Guernsey please.’
The rave took place on January 8 at the Fermain Tavern, a performance and events venue in the island’s capital, St Peter Port.
The venue, which describes itself as the ‘home of Guernsey music’, has run a lively programme over Christmas and through the New Year.
Disco, 70s and 80s and quiz nights are also on the roster at the Tavern.
By contrast, pubs and nightclubs are shut in England, Scotland and Wales with fears over the future of the live music industry.
James Wood, who runs an events management company on the island, was at the party and said the ability ro still run events was a ‘God-send’.
‘We’re still allowed to have parties, it’s normal for us,’ he told Metro.co.uk.
‘Anybody coming in from the UK has to self-isolate, which keeps things under control. Other than not having as much passing trade through the hotels and tourism it’s business as normal over here.
‘Owning an events company and working for another events company, it’s a God-send. We’re blessed over here really.’
James was in charge of sound at the drum and bass night at the Tavern.
He said: ‘It was an absolutely brilliant night, it was loud. It’s great to be able to still do these kind of events.’
In August, music festival the 44th Earth Fair took place on the island with 3,500 attendees, one of the few to go ahead in Europe last year.
It followed lockdown restrictions being lifted in June, which included rules pertaining to social distancing and face coverings.
But event organisers are advised to maintain records to enable contact tracing, and the public is asked to respect people’s personal space where possible.
Guernsey has seen 13 deaths from Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic – with eight known active cases and none in hospital, according to official figures.
At present, only essential travel is allowed into the islands of Guernsey, Alderney and Sark, which are English dependencies known collectively as the Bailiwick.
Anyone given permission to make the journey must self-isolate for 21 days on arrival, although this can be cut short if a negative test is returned on day one and 13.
Official advice states: ‘The Bailiwick of Guernsey has achieved consistent, sustained control of the virus that causes Covid-19, but it remains vulnerable to re-introduction, particularly while surrounding jurisdictions are experiencing high prevalence rates of infection.’
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