Extract from an article from ‘The Music’ with extra material from us:
As Omicron cases surge, NSW has reintroduced restrictions that will once again have a huge impact on the live events industry with a ban on singing and dancing in hospitality venues and entertainment facilities and major events under risk of postponement. The restrictions will remain until January 27. Tamworth’s large Country Music Festival has been moved from January to April.
Victoria has reintroduced density limits of one person per two square metres at indoor hospitality venues and entertainment venues. The Brunswick Ballroom has closed for three weeks because it was unable to get enough healthy staff to run the shows. The Newstead Live festival has been cancelled.
South Australia and Queensland are also feeling the effects of the Omicron outbreak, with iconic Adelaide venue The Wheaty unable to host shows again until the state’s restrictions allow for at least 50% capacity, while Brisbane live space The Zoo was forced to close for the week as all its events were impacted by COVID. The Brisbane leg of new Aussie festival Full Tilt has also been postponed.
Western Australia’s faces a slew of cancellations across the holidays following Delta breaching the state’s hard border. Tasmania’s Cygnet Folk Festival and Festival of King Island have been cancelled for 2022.
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