The 2020 Crop Over Festival and National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) are the two latest event casualties in Barbados as a result of COVID-19.

A statement from the National Cultural Foundation of Barbados said the decision to cancel the events was fueled by government’s negative short term projections for the local economy, limited regional and international travel and trade, as well as  weakened public confidence in attending mass gatherings.

In lieu of the festivals, the Ministry of Creative Economy, Culture and Sports, through the National Cultural Foundation will host a national training programme for schools and communities, via radio, television and digital content that will be accessible across multiple delivery channels including the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation.