What a COVID-19 Christmas will look like
It’s been 120 days since Tasmania’s last coronavirus case and restrictions are easing rapidly – but there are still rules in place for Christmas. SEE WHAT’S ON AND THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS >>
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IT’S been 120 days since Tasmania’s last COVID-19 case and restrictions are easing rapidly – but there are still rules in place for Christmas.
Household gatherings are limited to 40 people at any one time, while for outdoor events 1000 people will be allowed at venues with the outdoor capacity, and 250 inside.
SEE BELOW FOR MORE ON GATHERINGS, EVENTS, WHAT’S ON AND HEADING OUT TO CELEBRATE THE END OF THE YEAR >>
RULES AND RESTRICTIONS FOR HOSPITALITY VENUES
Hospitality leaders are unhappy with the restrictions ahead of Hobart’s Annual Cage Night, the future of which is uncertain.
The Tasmanian Hospitality Association has implored the state government to relieve seated drinking restrictions and allow for limited numbers to dance.
“It is illogical how long these restrictions have been in place. Operators and the general public continue to be mystified as to why our Health Department continue to sit on their hands, despite the progressive easing of restrictions in other states with far more recent COVID-19 cases,” THA CEO Steve Old said.
“Tasmanians are now under tougher restrictions than New South Wales ... Yet the New South Wales Premier is proceeding with the planned easing of restrictions.
“New South Welshmen can dance, Queenslanders can stand up and drink indoors and outdoors, and Western Australians have basically been restriction-free for over five months. Venues and patrons have proved that they can and will comply with contact tracing requirements. What else do they need us to do to get these restrictions eased?”
“This should be the busiest time of the year for operators and a chance for them to accelerate the recovery from such a tough period, but venues are still questioning their viability.”
GOVERNMENT’S COVID-19 FREE SUMMER CAMPAIGN
LIfting testing rates high and continuing with sensible precautions will be the key to winding back COVID-19 related restrictions, Premier Peter Gutwein says.
The Premier and Health Minister Sarah Courtney launched the summer edition of the government’s Keep On Top Of COVID campaign at Bellerive Oval earlier this week.
Mr Gutwein said he was concerned testing rates were too low.
“I want to impress upon Tasmanians just how important it is that as a state, we continue to do the right thing,” he said.
“We all want to have a great summer but importantly, we want to ensure that our testing rates stay high.
“Currently, they’re at about half the rate of the other major states.
Tasmanians, I want to implore you, if you’ve got a sniffle, if you’ve got any form of symptom at all, please step forward and get tested.
“That is going to ensure that as we move forward, and with events like this, where we start with a capacity of around 50 per cent if we take a step forward and do more in venues like this, if we to do more in terms of removing some of the restrictions, we need to keep our testing rates high.”
WHAT SUMMER EVENTS ARE STILL ON?
- Cage Night 2020 – December 18
- Franko’s Funky Christmas Special – December 18
- Big Band Christmas – December 20
- Mona Foma – January 22
- SummerSalt 2021 – February 19
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED AT WHAT EVENT?
GATHERINGS + SPORT AND RECREATION:
Gathering limits are now determined by the density of the area, up to a maximum of 250 people for an undivided space in an indoor premises; and 1,000 people in the outdoor space of a premises.
Maximum density limit is one person per two sq m.
Where the number of people permitted according to the density limit is less than the gathering limit, the lower number applies.
The maximum number of people permitted on a premises includes players, staff, volunteers, children and babies.
Where practicable, business operators, staff, volunteers and attendees should maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people.
HOUSEHOLDS:
Gatherings at households – including shacks – are limited to up to 40 people at any one time, not including residents of the household.
You can travel and stay anywhere within Tasmania, but you must comply with the restrictions on gatherings and household visits.
You should continue to maintain physical distancing at all times when you are out (staying at least 1.5 metres from other people), wash your hands regularly and cover coughs and sneezes. You should not visit others or have visitors to your home if you are unwell.
Originally published as What a COVID-19 Christmas will look like
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