User:Cartman02au/Reboot/Hillsong youth camp ordered by NSW Health not to sing, dance

Thursday, January 13, 2022 

Organisers of a Hillsong Church youth camp being held in Newcastle were ordered by NSW Health not to allow singing or dancing at the camp after videos emerged on social media of at least 100 attendees singing and dancing without wearing masks inside a tent. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard condemned the behaviour as being "clearly in breach of both the spirit and the intent" of Public Health Orders.

Minister Hazzard told news.com.au that "NSW Health has requested Hillsong immediately stop singing and dancing at an event being held in the Newcastle area."

The NSW government re-introduced some restrictions across the state last Friday in response to rising numbers of COVID-19 infections. Amongst those restrictions is a ban on singing and dancing at hospitality venues, music festivals, night clubs, entertainment and recreation venues. The Health Minister said “While the Order does not apply to religious services, it does apply to major recreation facilities and this event is clearly in breach of both the spirit and intent of the Order, which is in place to help keep the community safe.”

The camp was also criticised by Australian rapper Illy who posted on Instagram “I can deal with the NSW health minister specifically outlawing singing and dancing at outdoor festivals the other day, an unusual attack on a specific industry without any assistance to those affected,”

“I can even just about deal with after all the music industry has done and dealt with in the last two years, seeing a music festival allowed to go ahead where none could, purely because the attendees are from the same church as the prime minister."

The church defended its youth camp, denying it was a music festival and saying their camps run under strict COVID procedures and involve outdoor recreational activities such as sports and games.

Sources

• Heather Han and Lucy Carroll. "NSW COVID: Hillsong camp ordered to stop singing dancing in breach of COVID 19 rules" — Sydney Morning Herald, January 13, 2022
• Rohan Smith. "Hillsong youth ‘Summercamp’ shows large crowds singing, dancing maskless" — news.com.au, January 13, 2022
• Alex Gallagher. "Thrillsong: Australian artists form ‘supergroup’ to call out NSW singing and dancing ban double standard" — NME, January 13, 2022