Like many others, Busselton musician Sarah Strahan is facing a tough few months after COVID-19 restrictions put in place by the government to prevent the spread of coronavirus has put the entertainment industry to a standstill.
Last week the federal government banned public gatherings of more than 500 people and indoor gatherings of more than 100 people, advising people to keep a social distance of 1.5 metres from others.
On Sunday, further restrictions were put in place with the Prime Minister announcing that bars, clubs and pubs would be closed for a period of six months (to be reviewed monthly).
The restrictions have crippled the music industry, Strahan like others, has lost her main source of income.
A regular on the Perth music scene, Strahan moved to the city at the start of last year to purse her career and was accepted into the WA Academy of Performing Arts.
"It has been an amazing experience, the music support up here is really good and WAAPA is just like a big family you can talk to them if you have issues they are so great," she said.
"Since I moved to Perth I have been doing so many gigs, I was playing at Mojo's, The Emporium, The Rosemount Hotel and others, it has been really good."
Strahan said after the PM's announcement that indoor gatherings would be restricted she felt upset and stressed.
"When I woke up that morning and saw the news I had a lot of anxiety, it is pretty tough a lot of musicians don't have other jobs we rely solely on doing gigs and cover gigs," she said.
"Now bars cannot open we can't do three hour cover gigs which is where most of our income comes from."
Strahan said she was feeling at a loss about how she would get through the coming months financially.
An Australian charity organisation Support Act delivers crisis relief services to people in the music industry when a crisis impacts their ability to work in music.
Strahan said Support Act were undertaking a survey to try and gauge how much money the industry was losing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It is really tough and there are obviously lots of people in other industries who are impacted as well, I do not think there is any industry which has not been affected."
A fundraiser page has been setup by Support Act on Facebook to try and help musicians during the coronavirus crisis at mycause.com.au/page/226584/covid19-emergency-appeal.
Strahan said people could also help musicians get through the lock down period by downloading or streaming music online and purchasing merchandise.
