From party guests producing negative Covid-19 tests and proof of vaccines to downsized year-end dos and virtual celebrations, South Africans are partying cautiously with the emergence of the new variant and a rise in positive cases.
Omicron has subdued what would have been a roaring festive season, say party planners and caterers, with some dealing with the disappointment and financial implications of cancelled events and requests for smaller gatherings.
Corporates such as MTN and Old Mutual have adopted a prudent approach to year-end festivities.
“Given the increased infection rates and the risky Omicron variant, Old Mutual is encouraging everyone to reconsider any business and personal plans that may put anyone at risk. We need to balance the risk of Covid infection with the need for employees to connect at the end of a year, which was challenging for all.
“We continue to monitor the positivity rates as a barometer to evaluate and adjust our health and safety protocols,” said Old Mutual’s Celiwe Ross.
MTN spokesperson Jacqui O’Sullivan said the company “had communicated to staff that our internal alert level had been updated to red status from November 29, which effectively limits access to MTN’s offices, restricts business travels and sees the cancelling of all planned physical MTN functions including our scheduled year-end parties.
It was all looking fantastic a week ago, and now it’s all going down that horrible road we have been dreading.
— Kim Gloyne, event planner
“Some of our teams have opted to host a virtual year-end function while others have postponed their functions until the situation is more stable.”
Kim Gloyne, of Vanila Exclusive Event Management in Cape Town, is reeling from the cancellations of corporate year-end events.
“Things were looking like we were getting back to ‘normal’. But I have had three events cancelled because companies are concerned about the new variant and the fourth wave.
“They don’t want to be seen as irresponsible and having a good time when the world and SA especially has gone into a bit of a crisis.
“It was all looking fantastic a week ago, and now it’s all going down that horrible road that we have all been dreading.”
Gloyne said some people hosting private year-end parties are requesting that guests either prove they have been fully vaccinated or produce negative PCR tests 72 hours before the party.
“This seems to be the norm with events going forward. These have been private parties. I think the corporates are thinking along the same lines of if you haven’t been vaccinated then you need to provide proof of a PCR test.
“I was at an event last Saturday night where people [who] didn’t want to have a PCR test or hadn’t been vaccinated, didn’t come. It seems to be the new norm. I think people don’t want to get stuck where they had a party and it becomes a superspreader.”
Gloyne said with relaxed restrictions still in place, this festive season would have been a successful one had it not been for the new variant and rise in Covid cases.
Jennifer de Lange of Starlite Aviation in Durban said business had been slow for their chartered helicopter and aeroplane offering as a year-end treat for employees.
“I don’t know whether companies have no money to spend or are wary of the pandemic.”
Basheera Motala of Nouvelle Cuisine in Durban said while there were companies requesting picnic boxes for virtual parties, “there are more companies opting for in-person year-end parties”.
“People seem to be a little more open to it, because I think they are vaccinated. People are also tired of the pandemic controlling their year-end events and plans.
“Last year we had quite a few cancellations, but this year we seem to be a lot more busy. A year-end event is something employees look forward to, to unwind, relax and forget the craziness of 2021, especially with the July riots.
“Our cancellations have been minimal. About 5% have called to say they are cancelling or decreasing numbers. The rest seem to be going ahead.”
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