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Unmasked: Nightclub groovers throw caution to the wind
The Colombo streets are now unrecognizable on Friday nights, compared to the pre-pandemic hustle and bustle.
A three-wheeler-ride along Galle Face Green on the streets around the Liberty Plaza in Kollupitiya and all the nooks and crannies of Race Course and the Dutch Hospital implied that the once booming social scene of past was in deep slumber. That is, until you hear Enrique Iglesias breaking the silence.
Partying to the beat of the muisc not COVID-19 health guidelines
The Sunday Times went out on Friday night to see what’s what after a slew of criticism against Colombo’s one-percent for breaking health protocols in the name of fun. Visits to a few trending nightclubs showed, indeed, that health protocols had been flung to the wind by ardent partygoers.
The first nightclub we visited had a long line of patrons “squashing” against each other to try and gain entry. There wasn’t a semblance of social distancing, not a mask in sight. One-by-one, the reckless partygoers filled in their contact information on a CR book, sanitized their hands from a bottle at the entrance, got their temperature checked and disappeared into a loud, flashing blue den of music and laughter.
This was the only one venue we dropped in that even had a temperature check. The bouncer outside commented that the club was “packed tonight”. That meant around a 100 mask-less people drinking and dancing to early 2000’s music.
The second nightclub is nestled between a corporate space and a luxury hotel. With an entry fee of Rs 1000 for men, it wasn’t surprising that it was less crowded than usual. Nevertheless, there were still around 100 people in the tiny space, embracing and dancing to remixed Ed Sheeran. A large section was in the smoking lounge.
Again, the only health protocols in place were a CR book and sanitizer at the entrance. Some of the patrons also left the club and entered the luxury hotel nearby.
Nightclub Number 3 didn’t even pretend to follow the health protocols. No contact information was recorded. There was no sanitiser. Young girls and boys swarmed the balcony, drinking and grooving. Others were packed like sardines in a room. Again, there was not a mask in sight.
Other recreational venues like pubs and restaurants, too, have been active since the second “lockdown” ended. But they largely follow health guidelines from wearing masks in common spaces to sanitizing and maintaining social distance. Nightclubs are harder to police because people are forced to be in close contact, heavily breathing each other’s air in confined spaces.
Why, then, are they open during airborne virus pandemic? They should not be, insisted Mahesh Balasooriya, General Secretary of the Public Health Inspectors’ Union. Health Ministry Guidelines specify that venues like nightclubs and spas should not be open for business. Those in violation shall be punished under the Quarantine and Disease Prevention Ordinance of Sri Lanka.
Referring to a recent party at Hyde Park that incited anger on social media, Mr Balasooriya said it had been illegal. However, no action has yet been taken in that regard. The police and other authorities empowered by the ordinance only inspected locations they received complaints about, he pointed out. This could be why so many nightclubs were open without checks during a global pandemic and a skyrocketing number of local cases.
Venues like pubs and restaurants largely follow health guidelines from wearing masks in common spaces to sanitizing and maintaining social distance. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
“The only public gathering events that are permitted are weddings and funeral rites,” Mr. Balasuriya reiterated. That, too, with strict limitations such as a total of fifty persons for weddings, including service staff.
Research conducted online by the Sunday Times revealed that house parties had gained popularity over the last few months as a result of a loophole in regulations. There is no streamlined method to tackle this.
The research also revealed that while most people chose not to participate in the Colombo night life due to health regulations, the mood in the social setting right now was one of partying. Some respondents did not, however, think there were similarities between packed public nightclubs and packed house parties.
Those that still go out said there were significantly reduced crowds and an overall absence of energy. Many reported a significant reduction in their nightlife activities when compared with the period before COVID-19.
While an overall sense of communal responsibility was noted, an online poll revealed that sixteen percent of the community was still engaging in Colombo nightlife. We contacted some of the nightclubs that are currently open via social media for comments but received no response.