Dear Governor Justice: this is a petition to request that you recognize that there is many different music venues in West Virginia, other than fairs and festivals. We are asking that you allow indoor music in the small venues such as jamborees, community center shows and in bars and restaurants. Due to the rural populations many of the jamboree and community center music shows can safely social distance and are willing to follow the guidelines. The musicians will be on a stage away from the population. Also many of the bars and restaurants have a designated stage that would also provided social distancing.

We ask that you recognize that by leaving these venues closed you are impacting the economic health of the owners and the communities, which are often rural. As well as many musicians that depend on playing music to provide income to care for their families. Many of the musicians are already facing financial hardship due to the loss of the last 3 months income.

While we fully understand the seriousness of COVID-19 on the health of the community’s, we also ask you to look at the mental health of the people due to the prolonged isolation from things that they enjoy. We are requesting that you develop appropriate guidelines that will allow live music to resume to indoor venues.

Respectfully,
Musicians, owners of venues and fans.