news, act-politics, canberra, covid, restrictions, dancing, dance floor, nightclubs
Canberra’s bars and nightclubs have welcomed news that punters will be able to enjoy a boogie on the dance floor this weekend. ACT Health on Wednesday announced venues will from Friday be allowed a designated dance floor where up to 25 people can dance. The move clarifies ambiguity created about dancing when the rule that required people to be seated in venues was lifted last week. Reload Bar & Games co-owner Ravi Sharma says people have been itching to get their groove on. “It’s been a long time and it’s been a difficult year for everybody,” he said. “We’re going to see spontaneous dancing all over the place.” Mr Sharma said things were finally looking up for the industry, with Canberrans keen to get out and socialise. “It’s really a symbol of how we’re coming through this whole crisis,” he said. “People want to celebrate and they’ll celebrate with dancing. “We’ve gone from looking like Christmas was cancelled to, Christmas is definitely on. “We’ve seen a lot of bookings this month.” For Canberran Mel Bottega, dancing at a bar on the weekend is more than a bit of fun. It’s an important part of her social life that she hasn’t had the chance to do for about eight months. “Meeting people and interacting it adds a bit more quality to life I guess,” Ms Bottega said. “I’m really excited to be able to have a bit of a boogie, meet some new people on the dance floor.” Canberra’s public health directions have never specifically banned dancing. However until last week patrons were required to be seated at licensed venues. Once these restrictions were removed, no law barred dancing. Australian Hotels Association ACT general manager Anthony Brierley said the announcement provided greater certainty for the industry. “Some venues were prepared to allow patrons to dance in some circumstances,” he said. “This announcement confirms this was the correct interpretation. “Patrons should not expect mosh-pit-style dancing will return but patrons will be able to dance in their social groups.” Acting chief health officer Vanessa Johnston said while dancing at licensed venues was permitted, patrons must still be seated while drinking indoors. Venues must limit the number of people on the dance floor by applying the one-person-per-two-square-metre rule, up to a maximum of 25 people “ACT venues tend to have smaller dance spaces, which is why the overall number of people permitted in a dance space is 25 people, but a greater density of patrons in these spaces is allowed,” Dr Johnston said. “Dancing carries a high risk of transmission of COVID-19 as it is difficult for people who are dancing to maintain physical distancing. Additionally, dance areas tend to be small and they encourage crowding.” Dr Johnston said these rules did not apply to dance schools or dance classes. Nightclubs currently operating under a bar permit will be permitted to resume operating under their nightclub licences, if they wish to do so. ACT Health also announced travellers from South Australia would no longer be required to complete an online declaration. Dr Johnston said the public health direction had been revoked due to the improving situation. “While things have improved in South Australia, the situation could change again quickly. If you have been in South Australia, please continue to monitor the South Australian situation closely.”
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ACT Health on Wednesday announced venues will from Friday be allowed a designated dance floor where up to 25 people can dance.
The move clarifies ambiguity created about dancing when the rule that required people to be seated in venues was lifted last week.
Reload Bar & Games co-owner Ravi Sharma says people have been itching to get their groove on.
“It’s been a long time and it’s been a difficult year for everybody,” he said.
“We’re going to see spontaneous dancing all over the place.”
Mr Sharma said things were finally looking up for the industry, with Canberrans keen to get out and socialise.
“It’s really a symbol of how we’re coming through this whole crisis,” he said.
“People want to celebrate and they’ll celebrate with dancing.
“We’ve gone from looking like Christmas was cancelled to, Christmas is definitely on.
“We’ve seen a lot of bookings this month.”
For Canberran Mel Bottega, dancing at a bar on the weekend is more than a bit of fun.
Mel Bottega and Moey El Tahach dancing at Reload Bar and Games. Picture: Matt Loxton
It’s an important part of her social life that she hasn’t had the chance to do for about eight months.
“Meeting people and interacting it adds a bit more quality to life I guess,” Ms Bottega said.
“I’m really excited to be able to have a bit of a boogie, meet some new people on the dance floor.”
Canberra’s public health directions have never specifically banned dancing.
However until last week patrons were required to be seated at licensed venues.
Once these restrictions were removed, no law barred dancing.
Australian Hotels Association ACT general manager Anthony Brierley said the announcement provided greater certainty for the industry.
“Some venues were prepared to allow patrons to dance in some circumstances,” he said.
“This announcement confirms this was the correct interpretation.
“Patrons should not expect mosh-pit-style dancing will return but patrons will be able to dance in their social groups.”
Acting chief health officer Vanessa Johnston said while dancing at licensed venues was permitted, patrons must still be seated while drinking indoors.
Venues must limit the number of people on the dance floor by applying the one-person-per-two-square-metre rule, up to a maximum of 25 people
“ACT venues tend to have smaller dance spaces, which is why the overall number of people permitted in a dance space is 25 people, but a greater density of patrons in these spaces is allowed,” Dr Johnston said.
“Dancing carries a high risk of transmission of COVID-19 as it is difficult for people who are dancing to maintain physical distancing. Additionally, dance areas tend to be small and they encourage crowding.”
Dr Johnston said these rules did not apply to dance schools or dance classes.
Nightclubs currently operating under a bar permit will be permitted to resume operating under their nightclub licences, if they wish to do so.
ACT Health also announced travellers from South Australia would no longer be required to complete an online declaration.
Dr Johnston said the public health direction had been revoked due to the improving situation.
“While things have improved in South Australia, the situation could change again quickly. If you have been in South Australia, please continue to monitor the South Australian situation closely.”
