There is still no word if the special Noise Abatement Act extension will apply to Reggae Month.

Industry players have expressed mixed feelings as the temporary extension to the Noise Abatement Act ends on January 31.

Last month Chairman of the Entertainment Advisory Board (EAB), Howard McIntosh, called for the exemption to be extended. However, it seems this unlikely as there is still no official word on the matter.

According to Chairman of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association, Ewan Simpson, its something the government should address.

Despite the anticipated challenges ahead Simpson says the EAB has a plan. He says they are remaining optimistic as the reports of compliance over the Christmas period were very good.

However, it seems not all promoters share the same optimism as many remain uncertain what will happen with their events.

Garth Walsh, promoter of the weekly event Wet Sundays claims his event lost significantly prior to the exemption.

“What would happen is that partygoers would come to my event at 12 (a.m.) and then leave and go to either Bounty Sundays or Boom Sundays. But all that stopped because the police were at the venue to make sure that we are locked off, according to the letter of the law. And the people just not used to coming out early. So some would come, but most stayed away, so the business suffered,” he told The Star.

The promoter went on to complain about the confusion the entire situation has caused with party-goers.

“You get them back into the ‘late habit’, and then come next month you telling them that it’s early lock-off. People have been going to sessions late from before me born, so this Noise Abatement Act and extension is not the solution.”

According to Walsh, the best way forward is for the government to fast-track its proposed entertainment zones. However, he pointed out that this will only work if the zones are in realistic areas.

“Most people who go party tek taxi. Dem can’t afford to tek taxi go to Port Royal, and that isn’t beneficial to the taxi man dem, either. The country is benefiting from entertainment, so we need to put it high on the agenda,” Walsh said.