Hopes that amateur choirs could start rehearsing indoors again from May 17 have been dashed.
New guidance for England permits non-professional performing arts activities indoors and outdoors, but limits gatherings to 30 people outdoors. Indoors, that limit falls to a group of up to six people or two households.
The Association of British Choral Directors is lobbing for the unexpected restrictions to be relaxed and clarity around why the limits are being extended.
READ MORE: Confusion over ongoing ban on amateur performance
The Musicians’ Union is objecting on behalf of its members who work with amateur choirs. These include choir leaders who have paid to book venues for May and must now bear the brunt of cancellation costs.
Research has revealed that singing presents no greater risk than many indoor sporting activities which face no such restriction on numbers. Phil Kear, MU Assistant General Secretary, said: “Organised amateur sport can go ahead with unlimited numbers indoors, subject to building capacity, and we are at a loss to understand why choirs have been singled out under the guidance at this time.”