Last Sunday, President Ramaphosa announced a range of aggressive measures to limit the spread of the corona virus in South Africa. This includes a prohibition on all gatherings of more than 100 people. In addition, while small gatherings are not prohibited, meeting organisers are required to take stringent measures to prevent and control the spread of the virus. These prohibitions are particularly hard on the events and entertainment industry, and it appears likely that they herald the start of a wide-scale shutdown of our sector. In response to these prohibitions, organised industry bodies are calling upon the South Africa government to provide additional support for the event and entertainment sector.

The Covid-19 virus is nothing like anything we have faced in our modern economic times and while our Associations support the President's initiative, we also call on the Government to provide support for our industry sectors. 

Many times, friends and family are surprised to learn the vast encompassing nature of the live events sector and all it entails, so it is no surprise that the media has given little coverage to the economic devastation that has already begun to transpire. Currently, the live events industry is in free fall and headed toward a complete collapse with no end in sight. 

We, the undersigned organisations call upon the South African government to assist the events industry and all our constituent members as we face an economic catastrophe that will devastate our sector. We need financial and practical support for organisations and freelancers working in our industry, as well as transparency on the likely duration of these prohibitions.

Southern African Communications Industries Association (SACIA)
Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI)
Exhibition & Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA)
Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO)
Council of Event Professionals Africa (CEPA)
Technical Production & Services Association (TPSA)
Event Safety Council