COVID-19
Belgian Government Signals Return of Tomorrowland, But Will Require “Corona Passport”
As the 2021 edition of Tomorrowland hangs in the balance, the Belgian government has expressed confidence that large music festivals will return this summer. However, the path to Tomorrowland 2021 could prove to be a complex one. Tomorrowland organizers on May 11th shared a statement in reaction to comments made by Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who asserted in a recent tweet that large festivals should be possible in the second half of the summer. De Croo’s remarks arrived after the Flemish government presented its “Freedom Plan,” a proposal to relax COVID-19 restrictions month by month and reopen various economic sectors. “We are delighted and grateful to hear that the Belgian Government has given a realistic perspective for large ...
Taiwan says China seeking political gain with Honduras vaccine move
Taiwan condemned China on Wednesday for seeking to use vaccines for political gain after Taipei’s diplomatic ally Honduras said it was considering opening an office in China in a bid to acquire much needed COVID-19 shots. Honduras does not have formal relations with China and is one of a group of Latin American nations that have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said that to buy Chinese vaccines, he would do as the Chinese had suggested and look for a “diplomatic bridge”. read more Several Latin American nations are receiving Chinese vaccines, but countries that have built ties with Taipei rather than Beijing, such as Honduras and Guatemala, are not. Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said...
New York City To Offer Vaccine Shots At Subway Stations
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Bloomberg / Getty As we get closer and closer to getting our world back to pre-pandemic normal, New York City is pulling out all the stops to help get people vaccinated and stop the spread of COVID-19 dead in it’s track. According to NYMag, the latest initiative includes the use of the New York City subway system as a means to getting people vaccinated as the city prepares to offer the vaccine at subway stations to any and everyone looking for the shot. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that beginning this Wednesday (May 12), eight subway stations will be offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to commuters who are yet to receive the shots. “The pilot program will run from May 12 to May 16, giving out shots at the 179th Street station in Jamaica; the Stillwe...
Vaccine Passports Gain Traction as New York’s Economy Reopens
As the trend towards reopening has picked up steam in major metropolitan areas, nightlife’s “new normal” is beginning to come into focus. In the immediate short term, as venues and event organizers alike are adapting to navigating a post-vaccine environment, requiring vaccination passports is expected to become much more prevalent. Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced that venues have been permitted to scale up to 33% capacity starting May 19th. This announcement comes as 37% of New York City residents have become fully vaccinated. Amid the successful vaccination campaign thus far, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio has painted a rosy outlook. “Our plan is to fully reopen New York City on July 1st. We are ready for stores to open, for businesses to open, offices, the...
Washington, D.C. to Lift Capacity Restrictions for Nightlife Venues This Summer
The trend towards reopening is rapidly picking up steam for the nightlife industry. Washington, D.C. is the latest major U.S. city to loosen pandemic restrictions on nightlife and entertainment venues. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in particular has gone even further, effectively putting a date on when capacity related restrictions could be lifted altogether. On May 21st, entertainment venues—including bars and nightclubs—will be allowed to operate at 50% scale, up from the current limit of 25% which was instated earlier this year. The new limits for nightlife venues align with Bowser’s recent directive for gyms, libraries, and retail locations, which were given the go-ahead to increase capacity on May 1st. Famed Washington, D.C. music venue Echostage. Echostag...
Movement Detroit Announces Free “Micro” Festival for Memorial Day Weekend 2021
While the techno community is still reeling from the late February announcement of Movement‘s cancellation, the show isn’t over quite yet. Paxahau Presents recently provided an update to fans revealing that Movement isn’t completely awash in 2021, but it will instead be operating on a “micro” scale. Taking place during Memorial Day Weekend, Micro Movement will see performers taking to three Detroit venues: TV Lounge, Magic Stick, and Spot Lite. A lineup has not yet been revealed. In the spirit of Movement, the music will be bumping from day to night and will feature showcases fleshed out with all Detroit talent. While venues won’t be charging cover, capacity is extremely limited. Once inside, attendees will be expected to continue wearin...
‘Coronavirus restriction’: Nigerian government quoted out of context – minister
The federal government on Tuesday denied media reports that it has “introduced or re-introduced’’ new restrictions on COVID-19. Information minister Lai Mohammed made the rebuttal at a meeting with online publishers in Lagos. Mohammed said there were no new restrictions, adding that the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 only reiterated existing regulations to control spread of the disease. The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 had on Monday announced the enforcement of a curfew across the country in a move it said was to forestall a possible new wave of the pandemic. “The nationwide curfew will be imposed tonight at midnight and it will run through till 4:00 a.m.,” the committee stated. But the minister, a member of the steering committee, said the committee’s national ...
Insomniac Pulls the Plug on EDC Europe 2021, Announces 2022 Dates
EDC Portugal is the latest major festival brand to bite the dust thanks to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. In September 2020 Insomniac‘s Pasquale Rotella shared the news of his company’s first-ever show in Portugal, an event that would celebrate 25 years of the venerated promoter’s flagship EDC brand. However, Insomniac has now pulled the plug on the music fest, citing “travel restrictions on certain countries and other pandemic-related complications.” Insomniac’s inaugural EDC Portugal music festival has been pushed to 2022 due to COVID-19 concerns. Insomniac Events In a statement shared today by EDC Europe’s official Instagram account, organizers announced the postponement as well as the festival’s new 2022 dates o...
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Rolls Back Capacity Restrictions for Large Venues
A new day is dawning for New York’s concert venues after Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a lift on capacity-related restrictions effective later this month. Beginning May 19th, large-scale indoor venues have been given the go-ahead to operate at 30% capacity, up from 10%. Meanwhile, outdoor venues have been permitted to scale up to 33%. Currently, venues have been instructed not to exceed 500 attendees for outdoor events and 250 attendees for indoor events. However, going forward venues will be permitted to exceed this limit if attendees produce a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination prior to entry and as long as the venue enforces social distancing and mask-wearing. The cutback in restrictions arrives amid a successful vaccine campaign. Thus far, an estimated 50% o...
NASU: Decision to reduce civil servants salaries ’provocative’
File Photo The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) says plan by the Federal Government to slash salaries of Federal civil servants is “provocative’’. NASU made this known in a statement by its General Secretary, Mr Peters Adeyemi on Sunday in Abuja. It will be recalled that Mrs Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, had given the hint on May 4, at the National Policy Dialogue on Corruption and Cost of Governance in Nigeria, organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja. Ahmed said during the dialogue that the review of salaries of civil servants and some federal agencies were part of measures to reduce cost of governance. She said the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) had bee...
Foo Fighters Perform AC/DC’s “Back in Black” with Brian Johnson at VAX Live Concert: Watch
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-05-09T02:27:13+00:00“>May 8, 2021 | 10:27pm ET A star-studded lineup featuring Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, Jennifer Lopez, J Balvin, and H.E.R. performed at “VAX Live: The Concert to Reunite the World”. The concert was pre-taped a week in advance at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, but was presented as a television broadcast and as an extended 90-minute YouTube stream. One of the biggest highlights was Foo Fighters’ surprise performance of “Back in Black” with AC/DC’s Brian Johnson. The AC/DC frontman has made only occasional on-stage appearances since hearing issues temporarily forced his departure from music in 2016, but he was in fine form for his live collaboration with Fo...
Minister: Diaspora voting to start soon
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, has assured Nigerians abroad that Diaspora voting may be realised soon. He said Nigerians abroad are part of the county and as such should be allowed to exercise their franchise. The minister disclosed that the Independent National Electoral Commission and the National Assembly were currently working to make this materialise. Dada spoke during the Diaspora Quarterly lecture series of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission which was monitored online by our correspondent on Saturday. The minister expressed the hope that participating in elections by Nigerians in Diaspora would soon be a reality as done in other climes. He said, “NIDCOM is working closely with relevant committees of the National Assembly and relevant stakeholders, particu...
