No vax, no Rage

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - While the popular student festival, Plett Rage, is scheduled to make a return to Plettenberg Bay this December, festinos will not only be required to have been vaccinated against Covid-19, but also to provide a negative Covid test before attending the festival.

Owner and founder of the annual festival Ronen Klugman announced last week that, over and above limiting numbers of attendees this year and splitting the festivities over two long weekends, they decided to introduce the vaccination requirement to ensure the festival is hosted in the "safest way possible".

"We have split the traditionally one-week-long festival into two four-day events to keep numbers low in the light of last year's Covid-19 spread that took place at Durban Rage 2020.

"As organisers of Plett Rage, we believe that by not trading in 2020, examining what happened at Durban Rage, and with a better understanding of Covid-19 by the medical community, we will be able to take on the mammoth task of unlocking the South African music industry as Europe and the United States have started to do," Klugman said.

In addition to proof of vaccination, attendees will also have to present a negative PCR test taken no longer than 72 hours before their weekend.

Upon arrival, organisers will test each rager with a rapid antigen test before issuing an entrance wristband.

"Due to Plett Rage being a multi-day event, we will also enforce another rapid antigen test before ragers return home."

Klugman said that they will adhere to the Covid-19 restrictions required by the Western Cape government to approve an event to take place, within the restrictions on gatherings legislation.

"One month before the festival we will have a status meeting with all the relevant parties. We will also monitor the possibility of a fourth Covid-19 wave, before giving the festival the go-ahead. All patrons will receive a full refund, less Howler booking and banking fees, should the event stakeholders not go ahead with the event one month prior."

This year's festival is expected to take place between 3 and 6 December and 8 and 11 December.

Klugman said calling off the 2020 festival was the most difficult and "gut-wrenching" decision he and his team have had to make. "We realised that it would have a huge impact not only on the ragers, but also on our supplies and many of the [Plettenberg Bay] locals who rely on the festival to take place."