Tougher scene after long holiday break!

The whole world is going topsy-turvy, once again…just when we thought the scene was showing some kind of improvement, especially where entertainment is concerned.

Singer Judy de Silva, known to most Sri Lankans, and folks abroad, as well, as an entertaining singer, said that the pandemic, that brought about lockdowns, and curfews, was quite a tough period for all entertainers.

“Yes, it was quite a tough period for all of us, but, work-wise, it’s ok now…catching on!”

And, that is what Judy said just before the festive period. But, unfortunately, now it’s a totally different scene.

With entertainment back to square one, Judy is now more into voice training, as well as teaching piano and music theory for kids.

She says she is hoping to expand…”and I also have my online platform setup, but still getting used to teaching online,” adding that it’s a totally different approach than the physical classes.

However, in the present context, online is fast catching on.

For the record, since 2012, Judy was teaching at the Trinity Academy of Music, in Colombo. But, Covid-19 ended it all, she said.

Quite a few local artistes had work coming their way, during the long Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays – performing for the locals who decided to take advantage of the long break from work and move outstation.

Rajiv and The Clan did their thing, in the cool climes of Nuwara-Eliya, and, according to Rajiv, the venue made sure that Covid-19 health rules were strictly adhered to.

“We didn’t venture out but stayed in the hotel.”

The band Genesis, with Kevin Hingert at the helm, was seen in action…up in the hills.

It was a hectic week for the band, according to Kevin.

However, the holiday break has given rise to a new wave of the virus, in the country, and that’s because most of the entertainment venues didn’t care to enforce the Covid-19 health regulations that Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana and Army Commander General Shavendra Silva keep talking about, on a daily basis.

Dance floors were packed – no masks and no social distancing, and it’s there on social media!

People were seen here, there, and everywhere, enjoying the festivities…yes, crowds galore!

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) , we need to keep…physical distancing, masking, cleaning our hands, opening windows, and avoiding crowds.

We need to do it all, in order to lower our risk of being Covid-19 infected.

But…are we doing it? My answer is a big NO.