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Touching of nightclub entertainers banned!

- as nightclubs & bars made to follow strict COVID-19 protocols
Entertainers at local nightclubs are now expected to do their performances without contact with the audience. Photo: Internet Source
According to Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO) E. Lionel Michael, owners of night establishments are required to have a barrier that prevents patrons from touching or coming into close contact with entertainers. Photo: Facebook
According to Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO) E. Lionel Michael, owners of night establishments are required to have a barrier that prevents patrons from touching or coming into close contact with entertainers. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Any night lifer craving a lap dance at nightclubs will have to resist the urge as COVID-19 protocols for nightclubs have banned close contact with performers.

Entertainers are now expected to do their performances without contact with the audience, observing social distancing protocols.

This was the heart of a discussion on JTV's Big Story with guest Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO) Mr E. Lionel Michael last night, October 14, 2020.

Discussing the additional COVID-19 protocols bars, nightclubs and pubs are obligated to follow, Mr Michael said the protocol was developed in collaboration with the Bars Association.

No touching!

According to Mr Michael, in clubs where entertainers perform on stage, the owners of the establishments are required to have a barrier that prevents patrons from touching or coming into close contact with the entertainers.

The CEHO said deejays, bartenders and MCs also have to be cordoned and are obligated to constantly remind patrons of the social distancing guidelines.

Patrons to these establishments are now required to socialise at an assigned spot. "There will be a dance area where couples and people can stand, no more of the open floor dance hall where everybody just go and dance out in the hall, no longer will that happen."

Stick to your dance partner!

Mr Michael also said the exchanging of dancing partners are not allowed unless persons are at the club as a group. "If you come as a group we give you a large area so you stay right there and dance.

"No open floor dancing, nobody is allowed to pull you on the floor and dance. That will not happen no more, stay at your spot, what you coming by me for stay at your spot. If a group of you come you can stay at a table."

Additionally, these establishments are not permitted to have more than 50 persons at any given time, inclusive of staff.

"The government has made it law that the bars are only allowed to carry fifty persons. If they want to have more they must apply to the government for permission," explained Mr Michael.

He further said smaller bars are permitted to have a number of persons based on the size of the facility and the social distancing capacity.

"So not because it is fifty means that you can cram 50, pack 50 in the place. It may not be able to hold 50 at all. You can go up to fifty without permission from the Minister."

It was explained that limited or no service are allowed at bar counters rather, bartenders and wait-staff are now required to approach the customers to take their drink orders.

Fines

Michael explained that failure to comply can result in owners of the establishments being fined $1000.00 which must be paid within 21 days. They would then be required to attend training and fix their defects before being permitted to reopen.

Patrons on the other hand face a $100 fine if found in violation of any of the protocols.

25 Responses to “Touching of nightclub entertainers banned!”

  • Bree (15/10/2020, 12:37) Like (36) Dislike (5) Reply
    To our Elected Officials and the Governor. Can your clarify this headline statement for me. Notice it in another news story yesterday. I and others need to the answer to the following questions.

    1. Are Strip Clubs/Brothels legal in the BVI? If so, when did it become legal. Enquiring minds want to know.
    Need to know date, time and where in the constitution it is? When was this law read in the house and who voted approve it. Please direct us to the gazette approving such.
    2. How can such clubs be open while legit businesses that have licenses and legally employ persons still remain close. We need to know.
    3. Further more who authorize this press release.

    Awaiting your reply.

    Concern Citizens.

    • @Bree (15/10/2020, 13:07) Like (16) Dislike (20) Reply
      where in the articles are the word Strip Clubs/Brothels, it clearly says nightclub no strippers are involve they're called exotic dancers.....go and live your life
      • $ (17/10/2020, 08:21) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        In other words, choice of labels makes the difference. We use ‘exotic dancers’ instead of ‘strippers’ and ‘night club’ instead of ‘brothel’. I get it! We should simply simplify things by calling them what they are. The government should come out and say that such businesses are legal in the VI and get it over with. After all, it’s not a secret.
    • Free Thinker (15/10/2020, 17:01) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
      There are no strip clubs in the BVI. So your concern is not a valid one. We only have night clubs and sport bars. You cannot get a license to operate a strip club. And noone can be legally employed as a stripper
  • Excitable Boy (15/10/2020, 12:37) Like (34) Dislike (9) Reply
    Next it will be against the law to touch yourself. Covid 19 dictatorship
    • tola (16/10/2020, 09:33) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      its already law. You should not touch your face or pick your nose if your hands are not cleaned.
  • Hmmm (15/10/2020, 12:42) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    Well no night clubbing for me. No more lapdance for a while.
  • James Bond (15/10/2020, 15:03) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is going to be "For Your Eyes Only" as no touching is allowed.
  • Ghost (15/10/2020, 15:35) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    Mr. Micheal do you really relieve that persons will be adhering to these standards without a watchman?.. if you believe this then I would say you are being very gullible.. in my opinion all of these places Like strip clubs etc are the “devils’s campground” and need to stay close.. They are super-spreaders of this virus.. I do understand that businesses must open but still.. (a catch-22 with this virus)
  • Suggestion! (15/10/2020, 15:39) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    so tips jars gonna be placed around the establishment.
    • @suggestion (15/10/2020, 19:02) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      We will be using 5 gal buckets attached to rc cars....bucket lids have slits so cash must be folded before insertion-the slit is to ensure hands do not enter-only notes. Tables are already equipped with tablets which gives you wireless access to ordering drinks or tipping , even options to tip the bartender or dj. Ww have you covered-come for some good clean fun
  • Uninformed (15/10/2020, 15:42) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Want to know if this exist myself. Seems to be, other words don't make a difference. This should not be happening in the bvi. Touching is considered dancing for money or s$$. It wii be an introduction to young girls in the future. Shame on the government if this is happening.
  • Final straw (15/10/2020, 16:03) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    No touching in a strip club is like heading to Burger King and walking out with a carrot. This is an outrage and the last straw, Covid you’ve ruined me #crystalsislife #imissbarbiesbumper
  • $$$$$ (15/10/2020, 17:07) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    After no money is making it's straight back to the old rules
    • watch (15/10/2020, 19:47) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      So the dancers just continue their prostitution and go to parties .... SMFH
  • About damn time! (15/10/2020, 18:47) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Only in Tortola this was allowed.
  • ORR HUH (15/10/2020, 19:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wanna get something funny. Interview one of those strip club girls and publish it. I bet it will blow your old retarded fuse. Dude you are dealing with two different worlds here. Hope you have the stamina to stay up every night and monitor. Peeping Tom.
  • ABSURDITY (16/10/2020, 01:47) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Government and it agencies is becoming ludicrous now. Soon it will be illegal to even breath through the mask.
    This is where government begin to legislate to the extent that people cannot look, think, read, listen or touch without the government permission. The simple thing to do is authorize the opening of the Bar and outlaw exotic dancing.
    We all recognize the need to take precaution in the face of this covid but now the government is getting too intrusive into the lives of ordinary citizens. This is a real communist state now. There will soon be border checks as we move from country to town.
  • ausar (16/10/2020, 02:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    All this statement does is pushes these activities underground-ie, villas and private homes!

    Who then will be able to monitor?

    Nice gesture, guys, but, unworkable for the foreseeable future!
  • schools (16/10/2020, 06:46) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Strip clubs open, yet schools closed ..... where are the priorities ... oh wait who owns these clubs ....
  • FEO GOMEZ (16/10/2020, 11:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That is cool because one thing I can't stand is having a drink and snack with her twerk wind in my face.
  • Norris Turnbull (16/10/2020, 15:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    How will this be enforced?
  • Big Slick Willie (17/10/2020, 01:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm sure missing me some Deuces. I'm back in Texas and wishing I was there. Take care sweet ladies.
  • Ffs (20/10/2020, 00:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    No service at bars is ridiculous. One person from the party to the bar with a mask on rather than a server going to a table where there is a bunch of people drinking without masks. Seriously who makes this shit up? As far as I can see who ever decided to be the Bar association knows f all about regular bars. Do they just own night clubs and strip clubs??
    What about outside bars?


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