As businesses reopen around the world, many have added precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. For bars and restaurants, that has meant limiting capacity, making sure everyone remains at a distance, and frequent cleanings.
Bar owner Linda Carroll posted a picture of a disclaimer to customers banning the song, reports New York Post.
"Due to COVID-19, Sweet Caroline is banned," the sign, which has been shared on Facebook hundreds of times since it was posted on Friday, reads.
It continues: "There will be no: touching hands, reaching out, touching me, touching you."
According to experts, the coronavirus is spread through droplets that are expelled through sneezing, coughing, talking and breathing. Of course, singing loudly, and in close proximity, could cause even more droplets to be spread rapidly to one another.
With lyrics like “touching you, touching me” the pub felt it was safer to avoid playing the song and enticing customers to join together in song. Of course, they may run into problems when other songs, like Don McLean’s "American Pie," or Billy Joel’s "Piano Man." They may soon have to ban sing-alongs altogether.