This time last year, we were introduced to the new world of restrictions, venue capacities, social distancing, mandatory mask-wearing and religious hand sanitising; now NSW residents have seen restrictions on weddings, funerals, singing and dancing lifted in the state’s most significant easing of rules.

With a business based on their customers belting out ballads and busting moves, the staff at Jam’s Karaoke & Bar, Newcastle West, are thrilled with the good news.

Owners Andrew Coughlan and Joel Hillier said it was difficult to put their excitement and emotions into words.

“The relief, excitement, anticipation; I think we’ll need to get adult diapers—this is HUGE,” Coughlan said.

“When we opened after the pandemic, it was really hard for us to have to tell everyone to sit down in the Izakaya area and not to sing together.

“We understand the deep cathartic and therapeutic value of karaoke and know that everyone so desperately needs to come together, hug each other, sing and heal after going through a horrible period of anxiety, social and physical isolation during lockdown.

“It’s amazing to see the response from people each time a new restriction is lifted; everyone feels a bit strange at first, then comfortable, and then they just go crazy.

“The latest restrictions mean everyone can stand, sing their hearts out, dance and generally get wild and decompress fully from the stresses of the world— it’s fantastic!”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was pleased to announce the easing of restrictions on singing, dancing and no capacity limits on home visitors, events, and sporting games.

From midnight, Monday, March 29, the following restrictions were lifted:

  • No caps on weddings and funerals.
  • No restrictions on singing, including in places of worship.
  • No restriction on dancing, including at weddings and in pubs and nightclubs.
  • No caps on visitors in the home (if there are more than 100 people, there must be a COVID-19 Safety plan and electronic recording of visitor details).
  • 200 people allowed for personal outdoor public gatherings.
  • All venues to move to the one person per 2sqm rule (venues will be allowed at least 25 people before the 2sqm rule applies).
  • 100% seated capacity at entertainment venues, including stadiums and theatres.

Mandatory mask-wearing on public transport has also been lifted but will remain “strongly recommended”.

“We appreciate many more people will be catching public transport, and while masks are not compulsory, it is our strongest advice that if you feel you are on a service which is during the peak hour where you cannot maintain social distancing,” Berejiklian said.

“These easing of restrictions will only work if all of us stay COVIDSafe, (which) means good social distancing; most importantly, it means registering QR codes wherever we go.”

COVID-19 protocols will remain in place, where marshals and police will enforce QR codes and checking into venues.

“There are harsh penalties for people, for businesses and organisations who don’t comply with the QR codes,” Berejiklian said.

“And will come down hard on businesses and individuals if that is not maintained because compliance and keeping COVIDSafe is key to this.”

Jams Karaoke & Bar will adhere to these COVID-19 protocols and maintain all cleaning and sterilising procedures.

“We take this incredibly seriously,” Hillier said.

“We do a three pass clean of all rooms between sessions, including using disinfectant and ethanol steriliser.

“Our microphones are sanitised, and special shower caps are replaced between each session.”

Hillier said each private karaoke room already had a natural purpose of limiting the spread of viruses, with the rooms distancing each karaoke group from one another.

The idea for Jam’s Karaoke & Bar started in 2017, where Hillier and Coughlan poured their life savings into fitting out the venue and getting the business established.

“After a ridiculous amount of work by ourselves and our amazing construction and creative partners, we opened in January 2020 and had to close around six weeks later,” Coughlan said.

“It was absolutely devastating—a pandemic was definitely not in the business plan, we did not qualify for some of the government support because we had not traded for 12 months.

“I remember almost breaking into tears having to lock up the place and clean out the fridges, so many bills to pay with no income.”

After working with the landlords and suppliers, Jam’s Karaoke & Bar managed to find the light at the end of the tunnel.

“When we opened again after restrictions started to ease, it was like fireworks,” Coughlan said.

“We’re booked out pretty much every Friday and Saturday night now, and the energy in the venue is amazing—there’s something about singing that gets your endorphins firing.

“People expressing themselves in a safe space, being fully vulnerable with their friends…smiling and showing one another respect and love is one of the most beautiful things.”

The ease of restrictions also comes as COVID-19 vaccine Phase 1b is rolled out in general practices across the state.

Considering the extreme weather and flooding that NSW has experienced over the past month, Berejiklian said the vaccine rollout had done well.

“Many are now getting their second shot of the Pfizer vaccine, and that is great news,” Berejiklian said.

“We are also moving on to vaccinate the families of the quarantine workers in addition to frontline health workers.

“So, every day that we move forward, the risk is reducing.”

NSW Government Dine and Discover vouchers also came at a great time, with multiple venues across Newcastle accepting the vouchers, including Jam’s Karaoke & Bar.

“We are accepting NSW Government Dine and Discover vouchers—including the discover ones,” Hillier said.

“Also, we are running cocktail specials to celebrate the end of restrictions, and have a few big plans in the works so we can host some more events like the New Annual launch party put together with Creative Legends, Rogue Scholar Brewing and Besties Café.

“If you missed it, be sure to follow our Instagram for the next one; DJs, bands, burlesque dancers, live artwork; it was great!”

Hillier said they also had some creative friends taking over the building’s front and were excited to see their new venture launch.

“Midtown precinct in Newcastle West is going off!”

Jams Karaoke & Bar is located at 8 Union St, Newcastle West; for more information, visit their website or Instagram @jamskaraoke.

Hayley McMahon