The future of Carnival 2021 remains undecided, as government says it is unable to make a firm decision at this point in time, on whether the festival will be held next year.

Culture Minister Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said having Carnival will depend mainly on the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic locally, regionally and internationally.

The clarification comes one day after a newspaper report claimed festivities were on for next year but with “major changes”.

See the release from the Culture Ministry below:

The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts (MCDCA) wishes to further clarify the government’s position on the hosting of Carnival 2021. No final decision has been taken by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on the hosting of Carnival 2021 as implied by today’s (June 24, 2020) Guardian headline.

As clearly elucidated in the body of the article, Trinidad and Tobago’s decision to host Carnival 2021 will be based on many factors, the critical one being the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic- both locally, regionally and internationally. According to Culture Minister Dr. Gadsby-Dolly, “at this time, the government is carefully and successfully managing a global pandemic, and every decision is taken with due care and concern for the health and well-being of our population, which is the primary concern at this time and moving forward.”

All key stakeholders of Carnival, both local, regional and international, will be kept apprised on any decision as it relates to the hosting of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival for 2021.