Incredible footage of thousands of people singing along to Crowded House at a concert in New Zealand has sparked envy from all corners of the globe.
More than 6,000 music fans flocked to the Gibbston Valley Winery in Queenstown on Sunday to enjoy the outdoor gig without face masks.
The clip, uploaded to the Australian band’s social media, was met by shock from people around the world still in the grips of harsh coronavirus restrictions as Australia and New Zealand return to some semblance of normality.
Thousands of people turned out to see rock legends Crowded House in Queenstown on Sunday (pictured) without social distancing or masks as the country keeps Covid numbers low
On February 14, 32,000 people attended a SIX60 show in Wellington, New Zealand – the largest concert held since the COVID-19 pandemic began
New Zealand has used its island status to successfully keep community transmission of the virus under control
Stunned comments flooded in from as far away the United States, Sweden, and Ireland.
‘I’m so envious of New Zealand. You got your lives back,’ one person said.
‘Lucky guys…. A while to wait for gig’s the UK,’ another said.
‘How I miss live-shows. Great that you are in a situation where you can do this. Hopefully, I’ll see you soon,’ a third person added.
‘Things not fully open in U.K. until June 21st. I’m dreading them being moved again,’ a fourth said.
North of Queenstown in Wellington, a crowd of more than 32,000 music-lovers attended a February 14 show to see NZ boy band SIX60.
The gig at Sky Stadium was the largest concert to be held anywhere in the world for the last 12 months since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Australia too is beginning to resume its popular live music culture.
Last weekend, indie rock powerhouse Tame Impala played a pair of sold-out concerts at Perth’s Metro City.
The 2,000-person venue was packed with non-mask wearing punters attending with the full approval of authorities – which would still be well-and-truly illegal in most countries.
Sports fans are also enjoying an easing of restrictions with 16,000 attending the Canberra Raiders season opener for the NRL on Sunday (pictured)
Fans cheering on the Raiders after 12 months of being barred from attending games
Sports fans aren’t being left behind either, with rugby league allowing crowds back to stadiums to barrack for their teams after a year of playing in front of empty stands.
The Raiders kicked off their NRL season against the Wests Tigers in Canberra’s GIO Stadium on Sunday in front of 16,000 spectators.
The attendance was the largest crowd for a season opener for the Raiders since 2012.
‘It was pouring rain since 4.30 this morning and 16,000 people show up,’ coach Ricky Stuart after the game.
‘I just hope our fans understand how much they mean to the boys I coach, it’s so appreciated. They are loud, they are rugby league people, and they create such a wonderful environment for everybody.’
Australia and New Zealand have seen consistently low coronavirus case numbers in recent months – allowing an easing of restrictions.
Both countries have used their isolated island status to restrict travel and implement a hotel quarantine system for those returning from overseas which has proven effective at keeping the virus from spreading to the community at large.
Kevin Parker of indie rockers Tame Impala sings to a sold-out 2,000 person Metro City in Perth last weekend (pictured)
Beaches in Australia have also been packing out as restrictions were eased in the peak of summer (pictured: Bondi Beach)
The scenes are in stark contract to places such as the United States and Europe, which is currently experiencing a third wave of Covid.
Italy, the first Western country hit hard by the pandemic, saw infections rise by 10% this week compared with the week before, and officials have warned that the situation is deteriorating as new, highly contagious variants gain ground.
Most of Italy, including its capital Rome and its financial centre Milan, will have curbs on business and movement intensified from Monday as the government ramps up its efforts to stem a steady rise in coronavirus cases.
Museums, art galleries, cafes, and schools have all been closed.
Italy has brought in even harsher restrictions from Monday as the country deals with a third wave of coronavirus (pictured: Rome on Sunday)
On Friday the country recorded 380 deaths and almost 27,000 new cases.
The country will also be placed under a nationwide lockdown over the Easter weekend for the second year running, the government said on Friday.
In recent months the country has calibrated restrictions in its 20 regions according to a four-tier, colour-coded system (white, yellow, orange and red) based on local infection levels which are revised every week.
Under an order approved on Friday by Health Minister Roberto Speranza seven regions have been shifted into the toughest red zones, including Lombardy around Milan, and Lazio around Rome.
Italy, where the first major outbreak of COVID-19 happened in 2020 is hoping a vaccine rollout will finally get the virus under control (pictured: Navona Square in Rome on Sunday)
Three other regions were already red, meaning half the country’s regions and most of its population will be under the most severe restrictions from Monday.
In these areas schools and non-essential shops will be closed and Italians will only be allowed to leave their homes for work, health or emergency reasons.
‘I hope that this will be the last sacrifice asked of our citizens,’ said Lombardy President Attilio Fontana.