“Uruguay es Música” association calls for lifting of restrictions on live shows

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The association “Uruguay es Música,” comprising artists’ agents, venue managers, producers and cultural promoters, on Thursday called for the lifting of a number of restrictions and protocols for live shows, such as the ban on standing audiences, as well as for an increase in the allowed capacity.

The association released a statement protesting against the rules in force for cultural events in the current health context.

“While life returns to normal in open and closed spaces, and the daily routine seems to have left the pandemic behind, there is still a hostage waiting for the achievement of the full vaccination plan: culture,” and states that the 10% increase announced by the government on Wednesday “reveals once again the disregard for culture in the country’s agenda.”

“Uruguay es música” denounces what it considers a differential treatment to music shows compared to sporting events and even dancing. “You can dance in a nightclub but you can’t sing standing up while watching a show?” the association asks.

“Why aren’t standing shows considered, if you can stand in a stadium or anywhere else? Some artists need their shows to be in this format in order to meet their audience again after almost 2 years without working,” the statement says, highlighting that Uruguay now has 70% of its population vaccinated and that herd immunity has been achieved.

“Why were larger capacities not announced for outdoor events after the Rural Del Prado, which was crowded, as public spaces are every weekend?” the association asks, which published the statement after the “Unión Musical Independiente” released a similar but harsher message, in which it calls for the lifting of capacity, to eliminate events accessible only to vaccinated people, and even to stop controlling mask use “since there is no justification for it.”

The “Unión Musical Independiente” considers that there is “hypocrisy” in the imposition of “restrictions only for accessing culture and not for entering shopping malls, buses, etc.,” and calls for a march this Friday, October 1, at 6 PM, coinciding with the celebration of International Music Day.