A silent night in store as Christmas carollers urged to sing in ‘subdued voices’

The state government has suggested Christmas carollers should wear masks and sing quietly to minimise coronavirus risk.

Christmas carols will look a little different in Victoria this year. Picture: Richard Walker/AAP.

Victoria’s Christmas celebrations are being muted with carollers told to mask up, sing in a “subdued voice” and to keep performances short.

A directive on decorations has also been issued, advising they should be out of reach in places where people gather to avoid being touched.

Tinsel has even banned by one major healthcare provider.

“Christmas decorations that can be safely and sensibly positioned so that they are not frequently touched would pose a low risk for COVID-19 transmission,” a government spokesperson said.

“Indoor environments always carry greater risk than outdoors environments. Therefore singing outdoors is recommended but where this is not possible, it is recommended to do so in subdued voice and continue to wear fitted face masks.”

Authorities said there was emerging evidence about the potential of choirs to spread coronavirus, and any “group singing” this COVID Christmas should be done outside or in a room with the windows open.

Carollers should also stand at least two metres apart and wear face masks.

The Department of Health and Human Services told the Herald Sun all businesses had a duty to clean and disinfect Christmas decorations, to protect against COVID-19.

One of Australia’s largest private healthcare providers, St John of God, has even instructed its employees to avoid using Christmas decorations which cannot be easily wiped over, such as tinsel.

Christmas carollers are being encouraged to sing in subdued voices. Picture: David Geraghty.

The major Catholic organisation told staff Christmas trees should be thoroughly cleaned before being put up and singing indoors should be avoided as it created “verbal aerosols” which raised the chance of spreading COVID-19.

“In line with infection prevention and control guidelines our hospitals and services were issued advice to assist them to provide a safe celebration of the festive period that included using decorations that can be adequately and regularly cleaned in clinical areas,” a spokeswoman said.

“All facilities were also asked to complete an assessment relevant to their State government advice to appropriately manage any aerosol risk that could be generated from singing and carolling.”

Some churches, councils, schools and community groups have responded to the COVID challenge by holding “virtual carols”, among them the popular Knox Carols by Candlelight event on December 12, Diamond Creek’s St. John’s Anglican Church Christmas Carols on December 13 and Monash Carols by Candlelight, traditionally held at Jells Park, on December 20.

Public Christmas decorations should be hung in out-of-reach areas, the government says.

Victorian retailers and shopping centres said while customers would notices changes to Christmases past — namely fewer major installations and displays in central, common areas — authorities had been clear on what was allowed.

Shopping Centre Council of Australia boss Angus Nardi said the state government had provided “good guidance and clarity” to retailers about Christmas.

Australian Retailers Association Paul Zahra said store owners had “pulled out all the stops” to give Victorians a COVID-safe Christmas shopping experience this year.

“The industry has often gone above and beyond to ensure they operate safely, and we are confident in the existing measures that have been put in place,” he said.

“It’s exciting to have the Christmas displays in place, and we know they’ll be spreading joy this Christmas

“Government advice has been fairly detailed in all the key areas of safety provision and we are unaware of any major concerns from retailers.”