Distances and small groups should make choir singing corona safe

When the corona pandemic hit Sweden, many of the country's 600,000 choir singers fell silent.

- Within a week, the driving activity, like any other activity, was shut down and the anxiety increased, of course, says Karin Eklund, who is the union director of the Swedish Driving Association.

Choral singing is a source of health, joy and community, but during the pandemic has also proved to be a source of infection. When singing, small drops are released with the exhaled air that can be transported up to one and a half meters.

If a choir member is ill, it means a concrete risk of the infection spreading in a choir where the singers are often close to each other. 

The Swedish Driving Association has called for advice to be able to conduct driving activities as safely as possible. The Swedish Public Health Agency has now issued recommendations aimed at a more infection-proof choir song.

People over the age of 70 should not participate in driving with mixed ages and only in digital driving activities if you are 70plus and belong to a risk group.

In addition, the Public Health Agency recommends, among other things, that choirs be divided into smaller groups, to sing outdoors rather than indoors if it is not possible to do so in a large, ventilated room and to keep at least two meters distance between the singers.

- It is a guide that follows general advice that we have and which can be practical for the choirs to adhere to so that you can perform choir singing with as little risk of infection spreading as possible, says state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell.

Has the song fallen silent during this period?

- Yes for some, but the chorus is never silent, it carries people. Everything is good with choir singing, both when it comes to mental and physical well-being, says KarinEklundh.