Rules on amateur singing "potently ridiculous" says Norfolk choir
Amateur singing is subject to legal gathering limits around Covid
Last updated 31st May 2021
A community choir in Norfolk has described rules on amateur singing as "potently ridiculous".
Cantamus Choir, based in Sheringham, was looking forward to a somewhat return to rehearsals and performances from 17 May, when things like indoor hospitality and sporting spectators returned.
Instead, the Government announced the following day (18 May) that non-professional performing arts such as amateur choirs, orchestras and music groups, will be subject to legal gathering limits.
It means groups cannot sing indoors with more than six people, or more than 30 outdoors.
The rule has been called "desperately disappointing" by Cantamus Choir.
Chairman of the group, Nigel Roberts, said:
"With everything slowly coming out of lockdown and pubs opening and matches having spectators, we were sitting here fully expecting to be able to go back to singing in some shape or form. Then suddenly, bam, out comes this new dictate that says we are no longer to have more than six members inside in a choir, and that's potently ridiculous.
"We cannot work with a choir of 30 when we're only allowed to have six together inside at any one time."
Peter Twigg, committee member of Cantamus Choir, added:
"We had a situation towards the end of the last year when there was a relaxation of lockdown and choirs were allowed to restart. We managed to develop a series of protocols to ensure we could sing in a Covid-safe and socially distanced way, it seems strange that we've all of a sudden been debarred from doing that. Particularly as those arrangements seemed to work well last year and, of course, since then we've had a vaccine programme."
The decision was made, according to the Government website, because "Singing, shouting and physical activity increase the risk of transmission through small droplets and aerosols".
A study published last summer by ear, throat and nose surgeon, Declan Costello, in the Aerosol Science and Technology journal said research showed there was "no heightened risks" associated with with singing and playing music.