The Death Of Live Events – The National Covid-19 Recovery Plan That’s Not For Everyone

The events ecosystem is hanging by a thread and the Arts, Live Events and Festivals Association (ALIFE) urges the government to work with them to find solutions.

engin akyurt / Unsplash

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The Arts, Live Events and Festivals Association (ALIFE) is desperately looking to work with the government on solutions to save the Live Events industry.

A news release Wednesday (16 June) by ALIFE, who currently have 60 active organisations that represent more than 200,000 entertainment communities, said their industry will not survive following the government’s announcement of the 4-phase National Recovery Plan.

No incidents of positive cases or a cluster within the industry

The spread of clusters have often been reported by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to come from workplace and manufacturing sectors but are still on the permitted list of economic activities.

ALIFE pleaded that without a publicly shared strategy of how the government plans to mitigate and control the number of cases and clusters within those sectors, the journey to recovery for the live events industry will remain hopeless.

Locking down others only to allow some others to operate is not the answer.

ALIFE has presented some of the strictest SOPs that was approved by the National Security Council and the following was implemented at a series of test events:

Technology used for advanced ticket purchase and tracking systems
Implementation of contact tracing
Strict capacity
Physical distancing
Touchless technology for ticket scanning and payments

In the three live events conducted between September last year and April this year with a 250-capacity audience during each 2-hour stage performance, there were no incidents in terms of positive cases or a cluster.

One size does NOT fit all

ALIFE – A Non-Profit organisation made up of volunteers who want to change the industry for the better.
(Credit: ALIFE / Facebook)

Para R., Chairman of ALIFE and Managing Director of PR Worldwide has suggested a separate and specific plan is needed for each economic sector and each industry should be given a chance to lead the reopening and recovery plans.

Commercial live events are conducted by professionals in the industry, people who, even before the pandemic, put their duty of care first in creating a safe environment for everyone
Para R., Chairman of ALIFE and Managing Director of PR Worldwide

Although ALIFE applauds the government’s affirmative decision to enforce and subsequently extend the Movement Control Order, Iqbal Ameer, Vice President of ALIFE and Founder of Livescape says: “There are many ways to proceed with safe events and allow the live events industry to reopen with the other sectors in Phase 1”.

ALIFE suggests:

Adding measures to include self-testing, on-site testing, and vaccination passports can easily be implemented.
Collaborating with MySejahtera to enable status verification prior to purchase of tickets and entry to an event as a means to tighten existing live event SOP. This will allow the industry to operate at limited capacity and limited venue events during the Phase 1 reopening period and gradually recover through phases 2, 3, and 4.

Live events provide livelihoods for a creative sector ecosystem

The live events sector can quickly help with the recovery of the nation as a key attraction to locals as well as high yield tourists when doors open again.

President of ALIFE Rizal Kamal says it is the talents and professionals in the creative sector that contribute to the economy and well-being of Malaysia. However, currently the live entertainment industry is at a complete standstill.

In the 15 months since the pandemic began, some in the industry are surviving and some are long gone.

Of those affected by the imminent death of the live events industry is Navin Nair, professional Emcee who solely relies on live events as his main means of income. He told TRP, “it’s the uncertainty that’s killing us on when exactly we can run”.

Navin, who went from having 4 to 5 gigs per month pre-pandemic times, has been jobless since the start of the pandemic. That’s a minimum of 60 missed opportunities since the start of the pandemic 15 months ago.

Although he’s tried to diversify his trade, he found the results discouraging.

“It’s not easy to switch to something completely new. Even starting a business requires capital. Plus, after doing something for decades and then trying to switch is a tough task. Imagine applying for a desk job. What does he/she put in the ‘Job Experience’ column? Rocked the crowd every Friday and Saturday night?”

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