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Melbourne’s live music scene set for reopening as Victoria emerges from lockdown

Anthony PiovesanNCA NewsWire
Melbourne’s live music scene is set to stage a welcome return after 262 days of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Camera IconMelbourne’s live music scene is set to stage a welcome return after 262 days of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Credit: News Corp Australia

Melbourne’s live music scene is set to stage a welcome return after 262 days of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

But only fully vaccinated music fans will be able to attend when the Sidney Myer Music Bowl hosts a 4000-person concert next week.

Performances are expected from Baker Boy, Grace Cummings, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and other local and international acts.

The Play on Victoria concert – one of the first major events in the state to be held since the pandemic hit – is part of an initiative trialing vaccine certificates at large gatherings.

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“This has been really tough in the live music sector. This is the first sign of us coming back,” Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson told reporters on Wednesday.

Covid Update
Camera IconVictorian Minister Danny Pearson says only fully vaccinated music fans will be able to gather when the industry reopens on October 30. NCA NewsWire / Paul Jeffers Credit: News Corp Australia

There will only be allocated seating at the event, fans will need to wear a face mask unless eating or drinking, and security guards will check for proof of Covid-19 vaccination.

“This is about how we can use technology to bring our live music sector back to life,” Mr Pearson said.

“This could enable us to go to great venues, see live music, go back to our galleries, go back go back to cinemas, it‘s going to play a critical role in doing the things we love the most.”

Victoria is edging closer towards its 70 per cent double vaccination target and reopening date, with 88.8 per cent of Victorians above the age of 16 having received one dose and 68 per cent fully vaccinated.

Melbourne and parts of regional Victoria will emerge from lockdown on 11.59pm on Thursday night, with the state expected to hit its 70 per cent double vaccination rate by then.

Music From the Homefront
Camera IconAbout 4000 fans will be able to attend the Play on Victoria live event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on October 30. Josie Hayden Credit: News Corp Australia

Restrictions to leave home as well as the curfew will be scrapped.

There will be no travel limit within metropolitan Melbourne, but authorised travel to enter regional Victoria will still be required.

Ten visitors, including dependants, will be able to visit someone’s home per day.

There will also be a staggered return of grade 3 and year 11 students in metropolitan Melbourne schools from Friday.

Victoria recorded 1841 new locally acquired Covid-19 infections on Wednesday and 12 deaths.

Originally published as Melbourne’s live music scene set for reopening as Victoria emerges from lockdown

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