Volunteer piano players at Carlton Royal Exhibition Building vaccination hub told to stop the music

Melbourne musician John Arthur Grant has been told he is not allowed to play at the Royal Exhibition Centre vaccination hub. (Supplied: John Arthur Grant)

Volunteer pianists have expressed "disappointment" after they were suddenly banned from playing music at a Melbourne mass vaccination hub.

St Vincent's Hospital put the volunteer piano program at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton "on hold" on Thursday while there were "operational changes" at the site.

But volunteer pianist and professional musician John Arthur Grant – also known as Antoni G — said the decision was "disappointing".

Live music for thousands getting vaccinated

Mr Grant told ABC Radio Melbourne he had been playing "calm, soothing music" for a couple of hours each week at the vaccination hub since before Melbourne's fifth lockdown, rotating with a handful of other regular pianists.

Melbourne musician John Grant playing at the Royal Exhibition Building while people get vaccinated. (Supplied: John Arthur Grant)

"It's just a little disappointment – but there's been a lot of disappointment over the past 18 months," he said.

Mr Grant said he was not told the reason the program was put on hold.

He said, while the health guidelines did not explicitly state he was allowed to play piano outside the home, he was fully vaccinated and subject to the same processes everyone else on site had to complete to get entry to the Exhibition Building.

These include checking in via a QR code, filling out a COVID-19 declaration form, and having his temperature checked.

"It was within 5km from where I live, I wore a fresh mask every time I played, and I was at least a few metres from everyone else," Mr Grant said.

Pianist John Grant says he always received a "good" reaction from people at the vaccination hub. (Supplied: John Arthur Grant)

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Mr Grant said he thought the initiative had a "good impact" on people waiting to get vaccinated.

"I am very supportive of the health guidelines because I want us to get back to a situation where we can have gigs, concerts, and festivals," he said.

"But I think the music can settle people [at the vaccination hub].

On hold until further notice

A St Vincent's spokesperson said the piano program was "on hold" until "operational changes" had been worked through.

The spokesperson said the grand piano was moved from Brenan Hall at St Vincent's Hospital earlier this year.

"Since then, members of the community have volunteered to play music on the piano to provide a welcome moment of joy for many people visiting to receive their vaccination," the spokesperson said.

The Department of Health has been contacted for comment.