The Ministry of Health’s decision to relax the COVID-19 protocols for Crop Over events has been warmly welcomed, especially by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) who were advocating for an ease on behalf of the sector.Over the weekend, Minister of Health Ian Gooding-Edghill announced the end of COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for social and sporting activities.While the mask mandate remains in effect for indoor activities, it is still optional for outdoors, and the distance of three feet and sanitisation continue at all venues.When contacted by Barbados TODAY, Chief executive officer of the NCF, Carol Roberts-Reifer, thanked Minister Gooding-Edgehill and his ministry for their support of the Foundation’s efforts towards a safe festival.“At every juncture where I needed to write and, or speak with him or his team including the COVID monitoring Unit Ronald Chapman and the team, I was always assured of advice that was timely for the moment and the state we were in as a country.