Coronavirus: Christmas planning a numbers game as state restrictions ease

As COVID restrictions start to ease, the rules still differ wildly across the states and territories.

Friends enjoy high tea at the Stamford Plaza in Brisbane. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Border restrictions are slowly being torn up across the country but Australians still face a minefield in negotiating the cans and can’ts of Christmas.

And forward planning may not help, with some states flagging further changes in coming weeks.

In Queensland, households can have up to 50 people over, compared to 40 in Tasmania, 20 in NSW and 190 in Victoria.

NSW allows up to 300 people in churches but no more than 100 at a funeral, while South Australia permits a maximum of 150 people at both funerals and weddings.

Western Australia has no limits on public gatherings providing venues abide by the one person per 2sq m rule.

Sports stadiums and outdoor amphitheatres can fill up to 75 per cent of their seats in Queensland, and NSW is allowing theatres and cinemas to sell 50 per cent of seats.

South Australia requires events to have a COVID safe management plan for gatherings of more than 1000 people, and the ACT will allow gatherings of more than 500 people from November 13, if organisers obtain an exemption. But changes are ahead.

From December 1, up to 300 people will be able to attend weddings in NSW, and Queensland will review the dancing ban at hotels and clubs next month.

Changes to density restrictions were also expected in Queensland with the one person per 4sq m rule for indoor venues tipped to ease to one person every 2sq m.

Food and beverage manager at Brisbane’s Stamford Plaza, Sagar Pore, said they had a waiting list of hundreds for Christmas lunch and dinner while they awaited new COVID rules.

“We are seeing very strong demand with a few of the other big hotels and restaurants opting not to do Christmas lunch because of the restrictions,” Mr Pore said.

“It will be challenging if the rules change a few weeks out because with Christmas you need to order supplies well in advance. But we would welcome any easing of the rules.”

Stamford Plaza diner Leigh Baker agreed that planning for Christmas was proving tricky with some restaurants and accommodation places insisting on non-refundable deposits to secure seats and rooms.

“We’re hoping family from Sydney will be able to join us for Christmas but we just don’t know if the border will be open,” said Ms Baker. “It’s hard to book anywhere when you don’t know the exact numbers you’ll have.”