Iconic Reggae artiste Luciano has cancelled his performance in Africa, after receiving a strong backlash on social media from fans who expressed fear that the artiste would bring the Ebola virus to Jamaica.
Several websites had carried stories that the reggae artiste had already left the island for Africa; however, his booking agent Sonia Sterling told THE news team that the singer was still in Jamaica.
Sterling also told a popular website that after doing further research on the Ebola virus the Lord Give Me Strengthsinger had a health scare and decided to pull the plug on his appearance.
The booking agent also said promoters will be losing money because of the artiste's decision to pull out of his initial agreement, because his performance was already being advertised in various outlets.
Luciano was expected to perform in Malawi on October 19. However, a recent article published in the Malawi Nyasa Times newspaper stated that the country had suspected Ebola cases.
According to the publication, two refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo showed signs of the Ebola virus at Malawi's Songwe border of Karonga district; however, the refugees ran off into the country after the health officials had isolated them to be scanned to confirm the disease they were suffering from at the time they entered. The article also alleged that Songwe border of Karonga district currently has two other Ebola suspects under quarantine. Those other suspects also arrived from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Jamaican Ministry of Health recently submitted a press release to the media advising the general public and artistes to avoid travelling to countries affected by the Ebola virus.
"Entertainers and others who plan to travel to the affected areas of West Africa should reconsider as they would potentially be putting themselves at risk of contracting the Ebola virus and spreading it to other persons on their return to Jamaica. The ministry continues to warn against non-essential travel to reduce the risk to their health and the health of their families," Dr Ferguson said in the release.
A concerned Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna also took to her Instagram to commend the artiste for his decision. 'Respect Luciano #cancelledtriptoAfrica,' she posted.
Several fans of the reggae artiste took to social media on Monday urging the artiste to reconsider travelling to the continent, many arguing that if he does decide to take the risk, he should not be allowed to return to the island.
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