coronavirus,
Canberrans can once again hit the dancefloor as coronavirus restrictions further ease in the ACT from midday Friday. The announcement came as the ACT was COVID-19 free once again as the final patient recovered from the virus, and as restrictions on travellers from South Australia were also eased. Dancing will be permitted at venues with a dedicated dance area, in what will be welcome news to nightclubs that have been only allowed to operate as bars for many months. Venues can have one person per two-square-metres on the dancefloor, to a maximum of 25 people. Venues not using the Check In CBR app must apply the one-person per four-square-metre rule to dedicated dance areas, up to a maximum of 25 people. Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Vanessa Johnston said while dancing at licensed venues was permitted, patrons must still be seated while drinking indoors. “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. “This is why we are capping numbers in each dance space at a maximum of 25 people, subject to the one-person per two-square-metre rule if using the Check In CBR app. “While these rules may be a little different than in other jurisdictions, these restrictions can best support ACT licensed venues while maintaining appropriate public health measures.” 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 Dr Johnston said the public health direction had been revoked due to the improving situation.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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Canberrans can once again hit the dancefloor as coronavirus restrictions further ease in the ACT from midday Friday.
The announcement came as the ACT was COVID-19 free once again as the final patient recovered from the virus, and as restrictions on travellers from South Australia were also eased.
Dancing will be permitted at venues with a dedicated dance area, in what will be welcome news to nightclubs that have been only allowed to operate as bars for many months.
Venues can have one person per two-square-metres on the dancefloor, to a maximum of 25 people.
Venues not using the Check In CBR app must apply the one-person per four-square-metre rule to dedicated dance areas, up to a maximum of 25 people.
Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Vanessa Johnston said while dancing at licensed venues was permitted, patrons must still be seated while drinking indoors.
Acting chief health officer Vanessa Johnston says dancefloors can reopen from Friday. Picture: Karleen Minney.
“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.
“This is why we are capping numbers in each dance space at a maximum of 25 people, subject to the one-person per two-square-metre rule if using the Check In CBR app.
“While these rules may be a little different than in other jurisdictions, these restrictions can best support ACT licensed venues while maintaining appropriate public health measures.”
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.”
