IMPORTANT COVID UPDATE

As you may be aware, the Northern Territory Government recently announced plans to mandate COVID vaccinations for NT businesses, including live music venues. Like all music lovers around the country, MusicNT is excited at the prospect of being able to hear more live music in our venues and festivals across the Territory, safe in the knowledge that we are doing all we can to protect our most vulnerable communities.

This mandate will extend not only to permanent and casual staff but also to contractors and volunteers. For this reason industry personnel and musicians who work on live music events are considered contractors of the venues they work within. COVID vaccinations will therefore be mandatory for all such personnel, with the exception of people with Government-accepted exemptions.

From the 13th November, hospitality venues have been directed to check the vaccination status of all workers (staff, contractors, subcontractors, outworkers, apprentices/trainees, volunteers, interns and labourers) and to sight vaccination certificates before allowing workers to enter the venue.

The impact of these directives on the NT music industry is that all music industry workers, including venue staff, sound engineers, event producers, musicians and DJs, who have not been vaccinated and do not have an exemption, will not legally be able to enter venues for work purposes from Saturday, November 13.

While we have been luckier than others here in the Northern Territory, interruptions to the live music industry due to COVID have resulted in the loss of income and touring opportunities for many businesses and artists. Vaccination is key to ensuring borders can stay open and venues full, you can book yours online now.

Please note that this is not a decision made by music venues themselves but a directive of the Chief Health Officer.

We understand that these requirements are difficult for some members of our music community.  If you need support to help navigate this challenging period, Support Act offers counselling services for music and arts workers.  

For more information, frequently asked questions or updates please visit the Northern Territory Government’s Coronavirus website. 

We look forward to seeing you at a live music event soon!

Key Dates

Saturday 13 November
All hospitality staff including contractors must have received their first COVID vaccine dose.

Friday 24 December
All hospitality staff including contractors must have received their second COVID vaccine dose.