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Update to Venue & Music Industry Restrictions

From 11:59pm on Friday 26 February, Victoria will return to COVIDSafe Summer Restrictions. Masks will be only be required on public transport, in rideshare vehicles and taxis, in sensitive settings such as aged care facilities – and in some larger retail settings including indoor shopping centres, supermarkets, department stores, indoor markets. Masks are still recommended indoors or outdoors when social distancing can’t be maintained.

For further information please see the Arts and Entertainment Services Sector Guidance from the Victorian Government.

For updated information regarding face masks, click here.

To save you time we’ve summarised how the new restrictions relate to music:

Audiences

  • You must carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to.
  • Please observe social distancing (1.5m).

Musicians

  • You are recommended (but not required) to be 2m apart from each other and 5m away from the audience

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

  • Hospitality venues (eg. pubs/clubs) are no longer seated-service only, if they use electronic record keeping they can 1 person per 2sq metres* for both indoors and outdoors with no other cap (there are no density limits if the patron number is under 25). Patrons are permitted to stand up to watch a band, drink, play pool etc. Social distancing should be observed.
  • Dance floors can have up to 1 person per 4sqm. Maximum 50 people dancing at one time per dance area (such as in a nightclub with multiple dance floors). There is no strict definition of a dance floor but venues should discourage patrons from dancing in areas that aren’t a designated dance floor.
  • Large venues that host more than 500 people at one time must publish their COVIDSafe Plans online.

*density quotients should be calculated per room

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

  • Indoor seated venues can have up to 75 per cent of fixed seated capacity with maximum patron cap of 1000 people. For non-seated areas, venues can use the two square metre rule if using electronic record keeping. If using paper-based records, the four square metre rule applies.

Outdoor Venues (e.g. amphitheatres)

  • Outdoor seated venues can have up to 75 per cent of fixed seated capacity with maximum patron cap of 1000 people. For non-seated areas, venues can use the two square metre rule if using electronic record keeping.
  • Outdoor non-seated entertainment venues can open. They can apply the two square metre rule if using electronic record keeping.

Rehearsal and Recording Studios

Festival and Events

  • If a venue is holding a public event outside of ordinary day-to-day operations they’ll need to follow the Public Events Framework.
  • 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 1000-5000, Tier 3 events fewer than 1000)

For sector guidance for arts and entertainment services businesses within Victoria, click here.

Full Summary of COVIDSafe Summer restrictions from 11:59pm 26 February 2021

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us on info@musicvictoria.com.au

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