The RHSV has just received the email below from Andrew Abbot, Chief Executive of Creative Victoria, with updates to the COVID restrictions that come into force tomorrow night (6pm Friday 26th of March, 2021).
In summary:
- Face masks will no longer be required in retail settings, but Victorians will still need to carry one with them at all times and wear it on public transport, in rideshare vehicles and taxis and in sensitive settings such as aged care facilities and hospitals (unless a lawful exemption applies).
- Public gathering limits will increase to 200 people and you may have up to 100 people in your home.
- On-site office work will no longer be capped (both public and private sectors). All workplaces with on-site workers require a COVIDSafe Plan.
- All venues must use electronic record keeping through the Services Vic app or a government API-linked digital system (venues will have a 28-day compliance amnesty).
- The density quotient which used to be 1 per 4sqm has halved to a density quotient of 1 per 2sqm only if you are using electronic record collection. If you are not using electronic record keeping a density quotient of 1 per 4sqm still applies.
If you want to know more about the Victorian Government’s free electronic record collection (this is using QR codes to collect names, contact details,dates & times) please go to this website: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorian-government-qr-code-service
From: Andrew R Abbott (DJPR)
Sent: Tue 23/03/2021 4:06 PM
Creative colleagues,
This morning the Acting Premier James Merlino and Minister for Health Martin Foley announced that, following reduced exposure risk and low community transmission, new COVIDSafe Settings will come into effect from 6pm on Friday 26 March. You can read the Victorian Government’s media statement, here.
Key changes to the creative industries include:
- Dancefloors in seated and non-seated venues will move to a density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres and the 50 patron cap will be removed.
- Indoor non-seated venues will increase from 50% to 75% of total capacity. The limit of 1000 people per space and density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres remain.
- All venues must use electronic record keeping through the Services Vic app or a government API-linked digital system (venues will have a 28-day compliance amnesty).
For more details, we have summarised the relevant information below
- Seated entertainment venues (indoors and outdoors):
- Up to 75 per cent of total capacity for a maximum of 1000 per space.
-
- Density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres in unseated areas such as foyers, bars, bathrooms.
- Dancefloors will move to a density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres and the 50 patron cap will be removed.
- All venues must use electronic record keeping through the Services Vic app or a government API-linked digital system (venues will have a 28-day compliance amnesty).
- Arrangements for increased capacity continue to be determined on an individual basis under the Public Events Framework.
- Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.
- Indoor non-seated venues (such as galleries):
- Up to 75 per cent total capacity with maximum patron cap of 1000 people per space.
- Density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres.
- Dancefloors will move to a density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres and the 50 patron cap will be removed.
- All venues must use electronic record keeping through the Services Vic app or a government API-linked digital system (venues will have a 28-day compliance amnesty).
- Arrangements for increased capacity continue to be determined on an individual basis under the Public Events Framework.
- Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.
- Outdoor non-seated entertainment venues (such as zoos, live museums):
- No patron limits.
- Density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres.
- All venues must use electronic record keeping through the Services Vic app or a government API-linked digital system (venues will have a 28-day compliance amnesty).
- Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.
- Drive in cinemas:
- In areas outside of vehicles a density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres applies.
- All venues must use electronic record keeping through the Services Vic app or a government API-linked digital system (venues will have a 28-day compliance amnesty).
- Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.
- Creative arts facilities:
- No patron caps with a density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres.
- All venues must use electronic record keeping through the Services Vic app or a government API-linked digital system (venues will have a 28-day compliance amnesty).
Face masks will no longer be required in retail settings, but Victorians will still need to carry one with them at all times and wear it on public transport, in rideshare vehicles and taxis and in sensitive settings such as aged care facilities and hospitals (unless a lawful exemption applies).
Public gathering limits will increase to 200 people and you may have up to 100 people in your home.
On-site office work will no longer be capped (both public and private sectors). All workplaces with on-site workers require a COVIDSafe Plan.
You can refer to the full restrictions table here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-03/210323%20-%20COVIDSafe%20Settings_2.pdf
Creative Victoria continues to work with the Department of Health on future easing of restrictions and we will share and new information in due course.
Kind regards,
Andrew
Andrew Abbott
Deputy Secretary | Creative, Sport and Visitor Economy
Chief Executive | Creative Victoria
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions
The above supersedes the following information which came into effect on 18th of February 2021.
From: Andrew R Abbott (DJPR)
Sent: Wednesday, 17 February 2021 2:35 PM
Subject: Premier’s announcement and COVID-19 restriction changes
Dear creative colleagues,
As you will be aware, this morning the Premier announced that from 11:59pm tonight the state-wide circuit breaker actions will no longer be in place. There will be no restrictions on the reasons to leave your home and the 5km restriction will no longer apply. Masks must be worn indoors and outside where 1.5m distancing is not possible. Read the Premier’s media statement, here.
New restrictions will now apply to creative venues from midnight tonight, these are listed in the following table and copied below: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/210217%20-%20Full%20list%20of%20restrictions.pdf
- Seated entertainment venues (indoors and outdoors): Open, for indoor spaces the patron cap is 50% of seated capacity for a maximum of 300 per space. Over 300 patrons must operate under the Public Events Framework. Density quotient of 1 per 2sqm in foyers, bars, bathrooms etc when using electronic record keeping. In venues not using electronic record a density quotient of 1 per 4sqm applies. Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.
- For outdoor spaces the patron cap is 75% of seated capacity. Arrangements for capacity over 1000 are determined on an individual basis under the Public Events Framework.
- Cinemas: 50% of seated capacity to a maximum of 300 per indoor space. Density quotient of 1 per 2sqm for foyers, bars, bathrooms etc when using electronic record keeping, otherwise density quotient of 1 per 4sqm.
- Indoor non-seated venues (such as galleries): Open, up to 50% total capacity with maximum patron cap of 300 people per space. Density quotient of 1 per 2sqm when using electronic record keeping. In venues not using electronic record a density quotient of 1 per 4sqm applies. Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online. Over 300 patrons must operate under the Public Events Framework.
- Creative arts facilities (eg studios and rehearsal spaces): No patron caps with a density quotient of 1 per 2sqm, subject to use of electronic record keeping.
- Outdoor non-seated entertainment venues (live museums): Open, patron cap is 75% of occupancy limit. Density quotient of 1 per 2sqm when using electronic record keeping. In venues not using electronic record a density quotient of 1 per 4sqm applies. Group limits removed. Indoor spaces at outdoor venues open, subject to restrictions relevant to the space (eg hospitality or retail). Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online. Venues over 1000 must operate under the Public Events Framework.
- Drive in cinemas: Open, in areas outside of vehicles density quotient of 1 per 2sqm applies when using electronic record keeping. In venues not using electronic record a density quotient of 1 per 4sqm applies. Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.
- Community venues and facilities including libraries and toy libraries: No patron caps with a density quotient of 1 per 2sqm, subject to use of electronic record keeping. If not using electronic record keeping a density quotient of 1 per 4sqm applies.
We will share further updates as they become available.
Kind regards,
Andrew
Andrew Abbott
Deputy Secretary | Creative, Sport and Visitor Economy
Chief Executive | Creative Victoria
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions
Level 31, 121 Exhibition St, Melbourne, Victoria Australia 3000
T: +613 8683 3101 | M: 0401 712 953 | E: andrew.abbott@ecodev.vic.gov.au
EA: Carolyn Edwards | M: 0400 111 934 | carolyn.edwards@creative.vic.gov.au
239 A'Beckett Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 
03 9326 9288 
office@historyvictoria.org.au 
Office & Library: Weekdays 9am-5pm
