There's Been Massive Changes To Restrictions This Weekend; Here's How It Affects Live Music

Victoria has now entered into its last stage of COVID restrictions, seeing an increase in capacity for the live music and hospitality sectors. 

Under the 'Last Step Restrictions' guidelines handed down by Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday, indoor entertainment venues which includes cinemas, small theatres and galleries (both seated and non-seated) can have up to a "maximum of 150 patrons per space, subject to the density quotient". 

"Major cultural institutions and large venues > 600 fixed seated capacity including large galleries such as the NGV, museums, large theatres" can now have a "maximum of 25 per cent capacity", which is "subject to the density quotient, except in areas covered by proportion of fixed seated capacity". The venue is also required to publish a COVIDSafe Plan. 

Outdoor entertainment spaces also get a boost in capacity, with seated spaces now open "for up to 50 per cent seated capacity up to a maximum of 500 people with no requirement to apply density quotient", while non-seated venues like zoos and outdoor museums are "subject to a density quotient, venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons to publish a COVID Safe plan. Group limit of 50 patrons in line with outdoor gathering limits". 

According to Music Victoria, these new guidelines mean that indoor venues under 200m² can have one person per 2sqm for a maximum of 50 people, while indoor venues over 200m² can have have one person per 4sqm for a maximum of 150 people. For outdoor venues this equates to one person per 2sqm for a maximum of 300 people. 

The new guidelines also allow karaoke bars to reopen ("cap of 150 patrons per venue, group limit of 20 patrons, subject to a density quotient") and nightclubs to "operate seated service only in line with hospitality settings". 

Additionally, the hard border between Victoria and New South Wales has also been removed meaning that residents can now move freely between the states without a permit. 

New South Wales has also seen changes to live music event restrictions from today, with Music NSW sharing that "there will be increased capacity for controlled outdoor events (such as concerts) that are ticketed and held in an enclosed or fenced area" and that "up to 3,000 people will be able to attend with one person per 2 square metres if assigned a seat, or one person per 4 square metres if seated in an allocated seated area (eg. where the grass is marked or on picnic rugs)." 

Restrictions have begun to ease in South Australia too following last week's hard lockdown but limits do still apply with "hospitality venues (pubs, clubs, restaurants) are capped at 100 people per venue, with no vertical (standing) consumption, indoor or outdoor. There is a maximum booking size of 10 people per group, with seated dining only".

Head here for more information on the changes to Victoria's guidelines.