Vincy Mas 2015 preparations not affected by Ebola

It is not likely that the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa will affect preparations for Vincy Mas 2015.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, while addressing media officials on November 10, noted that at this juncture, he does not see carnival preparations being affected by the recent outbreak.{{more}}

“We have to be careful that we don’t have a mindset where we have an epidemic of fear. The chances of Ebola striking us in St Vincent and the Grenadines are very, very slight,” he said.

While acknowledging that Ebola is a serious disease, Gonsalves noted that it would only create fear in the public if it was announced that preparations for next year’s festival would be affected.

“It’s a serious disease and we have to be very careful. I think that if you were to say that from now, that for carnival June-July, it would be, I would think, scaremongering. I know the issue has arisen in Trinidad and I see the debate, but apparently, they’re resolving it in having the carnival in February,” the Prime Minister said.(BK)