Music venues weigh up costs of opening

vaccine passes at the door.

‘‘The people who want to do the shows – the artists – by the time they get up on stage, pay for everything, by the time we pay for everything ... it’s a loss for everyone,’’ Clark said.

‘‘Add this to the loss of four or five months and [we] can’t do it.’’

Maintaining social distancing requirements was also an issue, she said.

‘‘How on earth do we do that when there’s a gig on? How are we going to police it? Are we going to walk up to people jumping around on the [dance] floor and say, ‘Hey, you’re too close to that person?’ ’’

Neck of the Woods co-owner Jonah Merchant said the nightclub would also be waiting until restrictions were further reduced to open its doors again.

At the orange level, there are no limits on the number of people allowed inside cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Vaccine passes will still be required.

Small music venues fell into a ‘‘grey area’’, where they operated as part hospitality business and part event venue, Merchant said.