Dancing & Singing To Return To NSW Venues As Capacity Restrictions Scrapped

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced the easing of restrictions in NSW.

From tomorrow there will be no restrictions on density limits and singing and dancing will be allowed in hospitality venues.

QR code check-ins will only be required at music festivals and nightclubs, while masks are no longer mandatory in indoor settings, only on public transport, in aged care facilities and hospitals.

Mr Perrottet said it was possible to ease restrictions because of “the efforts people have made across the state”.

“These changes are measured and proportionate to the circumstances we find ourselves in and are particularly due can I say to the efforts of everybody across our state,” he said.

“Can I say where we were sitting when we brought out those scenarios in our health system and the capacity within our health system, we are tracking incredibly well.”

The banning on singing and dancing across NSW had a huge impact on live music across the state, with numerous major festivals being forced to cancel as a result.

Speaking with The Music last month, Stephen Wade, CEO of Select Music and Chairperson of ALMBC, said the ban on singing and dancing had a big impact on punter confidence.

“We’re seeing the highest level of no-shows that I’ve ever seen in my time in the industry,” he said.

“It’s the reality of a combination of a whole bunch of things, but I also feel that when governments make decisions to cancel events with late notice or ban singing and dancing without actual consultation with the industry, so that we actually understand why they feel there is such a danger, that spreads through and trickles down to the general public as well.

“If you were a punter and the government comes out and says ‘we’ve banned singing and dancing'. ‘Why have you done that?’ ‘Well, because we think it’s high risk.’ You’re saying that to a punter who has bought a ticket to a show that is ‘high risk’, but you haven’t provided any evidence as to why this one specific industry is higher risk than being at a wedding that might have 200 people singing and dancing.”

Restrictions will be eased across NSW from midnight.