Mask mandates in the Bay Area are not a ban on indoor dining and drinking, but they are making things a bit more complicated for restaurant and bar owners.
Musicians, too.
The Cosmo Alleycats had to cancel all of their gigs last March when the Bay Area issued stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Emily Day, their lead singer, said the group was thrilled to take bookings again when the state lifted most of its coronavirus restrictions.
"And then in the past week, things have changed," Day said, referring to the Bay Area’s mask mandates for public indoor spaces amid the spread of the delta variant. "And we've seen a lot of venues that we do perform for either closing down, or saying no live music, or being a little bit too confused about what the mask mandate means for live music indoors."
At Mr. Tipple's Recording Studio in San Francisco, owner and founder Jay Bordeleau is determined for the show to go on.
To keep it safe, all staff and musicians must be vaccinated. They're checking vaccine cards at the door for guests, too.
Distance between tables is back, and masks are required. Unless you're eating, drinking, singing or playing a horn, that is.
"We take these accommodations in stride knowing that we would much rather have some business," Bordeleau told KCBS Radio. "Doing good business, doing safe business, having some shows, being able to support musicians. All those are way better than no business."
Bordeleau hosted virtual events when the venue had to close, but he said nothing compares to performances in front of a live audience. He and the band are hopeful people still feel comfortable coming out to enjoy the music.
And support those who depend on it.
"No one's telling us you have to stop playing music indoors. there's just a different way of interacting with the music and interacting with the surroundings now," Day said. "And hopefully if we all comply, this won't be for long."
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