ocal Government and Rural Development Minister, Desmond McKenzie, has disclosed that Rick’s Café in Negril, Westmoreland will now be allowed to resume business.

The development came after the renowned attraction was ordered closed for seven days, a day after alleged wholesale breaches of COVID-19 protocols were observed in viral videos at a Mocha Fest party that was held at the venue on Thursday, May 27.

At the time of the closure, McKenzie said Rick’s Café would have to undergo recertification because the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) withdrew its COVID-19 compliance certification with immediate effect on Friday, May 28.

In a statement on Tuesday, McKenzie revealed that, “It emerged during our meeting with the management of the entity (Rick’s Café) that its Places of Amusement Licence had expired…

“… since then, they have completed the application process, and the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation has issued them with this licence,” he outlined.

Consequently, Rick’s Cafe is now compliant in this regard.

Further, McKenzie said the entity “was already properly certified by the Jamaica Fire Brigade and the Ministry of Health and Wellness” and, accordingly, it will be allowed to return to business.

But McKenzie was quick to indicate that despite these developments, parties or any other entertainment events will not be facilitated at Rick’s Café, “as these are still banned by Order across the island”.