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Crowds will be allowed to attend the 2021 Anzac Day dawn service and national ceremony at the Australian War Memorial after ACT Health granted the iconic event an exemption from COVID-19 restrictions. However, veterans will most likely not be allowed to march due to the difficulty posed by social distancing requirements. Thousands will be able to attend the national commemoration on April 25, which typically pulls in a crowd of more than 20,000 people, although the exact number is yet to be confirmed. ACT Health gave the exemption after The Canberra Times revealed veterans were concerned they would be locked out of the event for a second year. An Australian War Memorial spokesman confirmed it received approval from ACT Health to host the dawn service and national ceremony but was finalising the details of how the event would be ticketed and COVID safe measures adhered to. RSL ACT branch president John King told The Canberra Times he was pleased veterans would be able to attend but said the march, which typically attracted up to 10,000 people, would be unlikely to go ahead. He said it was a “sad situation” but conceded the event needed to operate as safely as possible under health guidelines. “It’s not perfect, but better than most,” he said. Mr King said earlier this week veterans were anxious to know whether they would be allowed to commemorate the day which was so important to thousands of Canberrans. Anzac Day marches in Hobart and Melbourne have already been cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions, while other states are pushing ahead. Sydney’s Anzac Day march was given approval earlier this month, limited to 500 people and services will go ahead as normal in Queensland. Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a meeting of the joint party room last week he wanted to see Anzac Day events go ahead across the country. “It can be done,” he told the party room, citing a police graduation ceremony he had attended where people were seated and appropriately socially-distanced. Veterans’ Affairs Minister Darren Chester said he was working with the Australian War Memorial to “maximise” the number of people allowed. “Anzac Day is the most sacred day of commemoration on the Australian calendar and it is important that we all have the opportunity to commemorate in a way that is meaningful and respectful,” he said. “It provides all Australians with the opportunity to remember and reflect on the service and sacrifice of our past and current service personnel as well as honour the more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.” Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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Crowds will be allowed to attend the 2021 Anzac Day dawn service and national ceremony at the Australian War Memorial after ACT Health granted the iconic event an exemption from COVID-19 restrictions.
However, veterans will most likely not be allowed to march due to the difficulty posed by social distancing requirements.
Thousands will be able to attend the national commemoration on April 25, which typically pulls in a crowd of more than 20,000 people, although the exact number is yet to be confirmed.
ACT Health gave the exemption after The Canberra Times revealed veterans were concerned they would be locked out of the event for a second year.
An Australian War Memorial spokesman confirmed it received approval from ACT Health to host the dawn service and national ceremony but was finalising the details of how the event would be ticketed and COVID safe measures adhered to.
RSL ACT branch president John King told The Canberra Times he was pleased veterans would be able to attend but said the march, which typically attracted up to 10,000 people, would be unlikely to go ahead.
He said it was a “sad situation” but conceded the event needed to operate as safely as possible under health guidelines.
“It’s not perfect, but better than most,” he said.
Sydney’s Anzac Day march was given approval earlier this month, limited to 500 people and services will go ahead as normal in Queensland.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a meeting of the joint party room last week he wanted to see Anzac Day events go ahead across the country.
“It can be done,” he told the party room, citing a police graduation ceremony he had attended where people were seated and appropriately socially-distanced.
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Darren Chester said he was working with the Australian War Memorial to “maximise” the number of people allowed.
“Anzac Day is the most sacred day of commemoration on the Australian calendar and it is important that we all have the opportunity to commemorate in a way that is meaningful and respectful,” he said.
“It provides all Australians with the opportunity to remember and reflect on the service and sacrifice of our past and current service personnel as well as honour the more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.”
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
