COMMERCE Ballarat spoken out over bans on live streaming from venues under most recent COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.<\/p>\n
CEO Jodie Gillett criticised the decision, which is in contrast to religious groups who can continue live-streaming services, while businesses can\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy have you once again banned live music and singled out an already devastated industry? Why not put in place the same rules,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMultiple venues… have entertained us while we\u2019ve been in lockdown. They have done this safely, from their local government areas, and while socially distanced.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have done this partially with the hope of creating themselves a small revenue stream, but mostly with two goals; giving a decimated live music industry some CPR, and providing some fun and entertainment to their communities in lockdown.\u201d<\/p>\n
Piano Bar Ballarat\u2019s Andy Pobjoy is \u201cdisappointed,\u201d having run a series of livestreamed evening shows over the last 18 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe get strong viewership, and messages during and after every stream saying how much people are enjoying it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve managed to do it safely for 18 months, most of the time with just me and the performer in the room. It\u2019s been the only safe way to perform and to have that taken away is demoralising.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand restrictions to protect essential services and hospitals, but we are not engaging in risky behaviour. Streaming helps us keep our brand alive, and our team and patrons engaged.\u201d<\/p>\n
Religious services are permitted to broadcast live from places of worship, with a maximum of five necessary people on site conducting the ceremony or operating streaming equipment.<\/p>\n
Ms Gillett asked why a similar structure could not remain for people safely providing entertainment and relief from pandemic disconnection.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
COMMERCE Ballarat spoken out over bans on live streaming from venues under most recent COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. CEO Jodie Gillett criticised the decision, which is in contrast to religious groups who can continue live-streaming services, while businesses can\u2019t. \u201cWhy have you once again banned live music and singled out an already devastated industry? Why not […]<\/p>\n