It is the clearest indication so far given by the government that Carnival 2021 is not going to happen.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley yesterday said unless the coronavirus is no more, Carnival next year is not likely.

Dr. Rowley was speaking at a forum called spotlight on the National Budget.

There had been much speculation as to whether Trinidad and Tobago would join countries like Brazil and announce a cancellation or postponement of the Carnival, dubbed as the greatest show on earth.

Dr. Rowley told the forum that Trinidad and Tobago should nonetheless look on the bright side, despite his announcement that could result in millions of dollars in revenue being lost as a result of the cancellation. 

The leader of the opposition, Kamla Persad Bissessar agrees there should be no Carnival in a pandemic.

However she sees hope in a virtual event.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar says a virtual Carnival could lead to job creation and foreign exchange.

She was speaking at a virtual update hosted by her United National Congress last evening.