Update to Venue & Music Industry Restrictions + Statement from the Premier

On Sunday 22 November, Victoria entered into it's Last Step in the Roadmap for reopening. Here's a brief overview of what this step means for the Victorian music sector (Click here for a comprehensive list of current restrictions for the entertainment and culture sector):

Audiences

• All audiences need to be seated and wearing a mask (unless eating or drinking)

Musicians

• Are recommended to be 2m apart and 5m away from the audience (this is a recommendation, not a requirement)
• Masks are to be worn if you are performing indoors unless you’re singing or playing brass/woodwind. Masks are not required outdoors.

Live Music Venues (e.g. pubs/clubs/hospitality)

• under 200m² can have 1 person per 2sqm (max 50pp)
• over 200m² can have 1 person per 4sqm (max 150pp)
• outdoor areas can have 1 person per 2sqm (max 300pp)

The total of indoor and outdoor can’t exceed 300pp and the 200m² is based on the publicly available space

Indoor Venues (e.g. theatres/music halls)

• Small venues (under 600 cap) can have 1 person per 4sqm (max 150pp) (small venues can seat less people)

• Larger venues (over 600 cap) maximum 25% capacity. Subject to the density quotient except in areas covered by proportion of fixed seated capacity

Outdoor Venues

• can operate at 50% capacity (max 500pp)

Rehearsal and Recording Studios

• under 80m² can have up to 1 person per 2sqm (max 20pp)
• over 80m² can have up to 1 person per 4sqm (max 150pp)

Festival and Events

• There are plans for a phased return from 25% - 100% capacity and a 3 x tier system depending on the scale of your event (Tier 1 5000+, Tier 2 500-5000, Tier 3 <500)
• These are assessed via the Public Events Framework and involve submitting a COVIDsafe Event Plan

Full Summary of Last Step restrictions from 11.59pm 22 November 2020 (PDF)

 

See the full statement from the premier below which was delivered on November 22:

Three months ago, Victoria had 4293 active cases. Today we have one.

It’s an incredible achievement. And the clearest evidence there is of our determination to not only get on top of this virus – but to squash it.

Back then, the goal – the hope – was something a little more ‘normal’ for Christmas.

Today, because of the efforts of every Victorian, that’s exactly what we’ve been able to achieve.

For those keen to get on and plan how many seats there’ll be around the table, I won’t waste another second.

Today we can confirm you’ll be able to host up to 30 people in your home for Christmas Day. Babies under 12 months won’t count towards the cap.

This change will come into effect from 11.59pm, 13 December, just in time for catch-ups, and Christmas barbies – and for our Jewish communities, the closing days of Hanukkah.

We’re also able to confirm some more immediate changes.

From 11:59pm tonight, the number of visitors to your home will increase from two to 15 per day.

That can be split across different times – ten for lunch, and five for dinner – as long as people are sticking to a total of 15.

Outdoor gatherings in a public place – the park, the beach – will increase to 50.

For those couples who’ve had to delay their special day, weddings will increase to 150 people. The same number will apply to funerals and religious ceremonies indoors.

There’ll be changes for our hospitality sector too.

For smaller venues, the density limit will change to one person for every two square metres – up to 50 customers. QR code record keeping will be mandatory. For bigger venues, the density limit will stay the same, but the cap will increase to 150. Total venue capacity will also rise to 300.

Cinemas, galleries and museums will also be able to host up to 150 people indoors.

And in good news for community clubs, contact and non-contact sports can begin for adults as well as kids – 150 people indoors with a group size of up to 20 and 500 outdoors with groups of up to 50.

Organisers will also be able to apply to host a public event. Different requirements and rules will need to apply, depending on whether it’s a school fete or a major sporting match.

We’re also able to begin a phased approach for staff heading back to the office. From 30 November, up to 25 per cent of workers will be able to attend onsite.

I want to be clear though – unless you’re one of those people nominated by your employer – you need to keep working from home.

We're also making some changes to the rules around masks.

In short, you’ll still need to wear one when you’re indoors and on public transport – and where you can’t keep your distance.

But if you’re outdoors and you can keep a safe distance, masks will no longer be mandatory.

For example, you’ll still need to keep your mask on if you’re at a busy outdoor market – or in line for a snag at your local Bunnings.

If you’re headed for a quiet stroll around the neighbourhood, you won’t need to wear a mask – but you will need to carry one, in case the situation changes.

I know for some people, they’ll think this is too slow and still too restrictive.

But the point is, masks are a small sacrifice that help keep all of us safe.

And as we’ve been reminded so recently, all it takes is one case before you’ve got a much bigger outbreak.

We’ll have more to say about what a “COVIDSafe Summer” will look like in the next few weeks – and in line with what our public health experts are telling us is safe.

For now, though, I want to thank Victorians.

Getting here was by no means guaranteed. But we did it. You did it.

It’s been a long, hard winter.

Now, it’s time to enjoy the sun.

--The Hon Daniel Andrews MP, Premier