The organization requests that those involved in holding these events receive the maximum penalty.
The high rate of COVID-19 infections has not stopped many people’s desire to party. Despite the recommendations of health organizations, various illegal raves have been organized in several countries, and the International Nightlife Association (INA) has ruled on the matter.
Through a statement, the aforementioned nonprofit organization criticized those who have carried out such events with little or no security measures during the pandemic and has requested governments that these people receive the most severe legal penalty possible.
These parties, according to the organization, affect the increase in cases and delay the reopening of the legal nightlife industry. The INA mentioned the New Year’s Eve parties that were held in France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as a 300-person rave that took place in Barcelona recently.
Joaquim Boadas, Secretary General of the INA and Spain Nightlife said the following: ‘Nightlife entrepreneurs consider it disrespectful that, while all the nightclubs in Spain remain closed, others are organizing illegal parties throughout the country (…) If the organizers and attendees of the event were properly punished, they would think twice about organizing and attending illegal parties and raves, but some governments seem to indirectly promote these illegal parties by not punishing their users’.
Likewise, DJs and promoters who have participated in legal parties in countries where COVID infection rates are still high also face scrutiny and criticism, as the virus continues to wreak havoc on the underprivileged social sectors.
