“With restaurants, bars and cafes being given a date for re-opening, we would expect the same to happen for our industry.”
The Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland (MEAI) is calling for a reopening date as the sector will be closed for 500 days as of next Sunday.
The MEAI has called on government to provide a reopening date for the sector as it looks likely that restaurants, cafes and bars will be given a date for the resumption of indoor dining at some point next week.
“It is incredible to think that our members will have been without work for 500 days on Sunday next, 25 July”, Matt McGranaghan an MEAI spokesman said on Sunday.
“It is dire straits time for musicians, DJs, road crew and others. With restaurants, bars and cafes being given a date for re-opening, then we would expect the same to happen for people in our industry, including our 5,000 members.”
As well as appealing to government for a re-opening date, the MEAI is also encouraging workers in the music and entertainment sector to apply for the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) as the deadline is next Wednesday, 21 July.
A fund of €14m is available for performers and workers in the live entertainment sector that have been significantly negatively affected by Covid-19 restrictions.
Self-employed individuals (sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities) who operate exclusively within the live entertainment sector are eligible to apply for the Scheme which will be offered by way of a single once-off payment at three levels.
You can find more details on the scheme and how to apply for it here.
“We have been inundated with queries from workers who think they aren’t eligible for this support, but usually after a few minutes conversation they realise MEBAS is for them,” said Mr McGranaghan
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