Even The Angels have covid: no dancing or singing allowed amid local staff shortages

ABOVE: A band member from The Angels has covid and their Casino concert will be rescheduled. Photo: Contributed

Susanna Freymark

Covid has hit the band and The Angels have cancelled next week’s concert in Casino.

Pubs and restaurants are being hard hit too by the impact of staff having to isolate because of being a covid contact and waiting for test results.

Sandbar Restaurant in Evans Head closed their doors yesterday and will be closed tonight, Friday, January 7. The restaurant had staff waiting  on test results which left the venue without enough staff.

The bar and Sandpit Cafe downstairs remain open.

The Cecil Hotel in Casino had to reduce its early opening hours at the cafe because of staff shortages. Lunch and dinner times were unaffected.

Casino’s Commercial Hotel publican Marnie Macdonald said they were fine for now and had enough staff.

“We’re fine for the moment but it is troubling that cases are rising in the community – it’s only a matter of time,” Ms Macdonald said.

Casino RSM’s manager Neale Genge said they have had a few staff that are close contacts who have had to isolate till they get test results. 

The big blow for rock fans is the cancellation of the Angels concert on January 12 because a band member had a positive covid result.

The RSM Club is re-negotiating with promoters for a new date for the Angels concert in Casino.

The club advised everyone to hold onto their tickets for a few days until the new date is announced.

When they date is announced all tickets will be valid for the new date. Anyone unable to attend the new date will be offered a refund, the club advised.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced that from tomorrow, January 8 until January 27,  there will be no singing or dancing in entertainment and hospitality venues.

This prohibition will not apply for weddings or for performers at entertainment venues.

The government recommended people stay seated when drinking in pubs and clubs.

Any major events scheduled for the coming weeks will be risk-assessed by NSW Health.

Event organisers should assume their event will proceed unless they are contacted by NSW Health to advise otherwise.