MUSIC BACK AT BARS

Dept of health allowing bars and restaurants to host live music.

Mallet.

First tonight ?

"* minnesota bas and restaurants are taking another huge step closer to normal.

Kimt news three's anthony monzon is live in downtown rochester with the department of health's new announcement.

Xxx george ?

"* it's exciting news..

The state is now allowing live music back inside minnesota bars and restaurants large enough to accommodate social distancing.

Xxx nat: six strings and a leather strap around the back of his neck.

That's how jeremy jewell brings joy to people of rochester.

Nat: jewel is a seasoned med city musician... but even he almost put down his pick and guitar as coronavirus brought live music to a halt at bars and restaurants.

"it was super scary for a while because i wasn't sure when we would be able to come back, if we would be able to come back, and i started thinking about 'is playing music, being a professional performer a viable way to support my family."

But new guidance from the minnesota department of public changed things for performers like jewel... with m?

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"*h now allowing establishments to host live music events indoors so long as social distancing is maintained among band members and performers as well as between performers and audience members.

"i think people are itching to hear music, and i know i'm itching to play more music."

At zen fusion is rochester... live music nights used to be their busiest before the pandemic.

Now... owner tiffany houser says bringing music back safely might help customers feel a bit more comfortable outside their homes.

"to have music in your establishment the new guidelines say performers must be separated from audience members by at least twelve feet.

And while bands will be returning to your favorite bars ?

"* karaoke and open mic nights are still off the table in minnesota.

Live in rochester... anthony monzon... kimt news three./// thank you anthony.

The new guidelines boosted indoor occupancy to 50 percent with a maximum of