A GUIDE TO HOSTING EVENTS DURING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

To help venues, caterers and suppliers, along with event planners and bookers understand when and what you can do as far as booking events during the COVID-19 crisis, we’ve put together this guide to help.

While some businesses in some states are able to reopen, and some “gatherings” allowed, there is still a long way to go for the events industry to be back to business as usual.

This guide is designed to give you a brief overview of the restrictions related to events and gatherings in order to help make sense of the current and ever changing situation.

NOTE: We’ll be updating this guide as and when new information is released, so book mark it or sign up to our newsletter to avoid missing any key updates. We’ll also share links to this guide on our Facebook and Linkedin pages – so feel free to connect with us there as well.

Before making any decisions based on the information below, please triple check the latest guidelines issued by your State Government – links to the relevant COVID-19 Restrictions per state are included below.

One rule for us all? Oh no, that would be way to easy…

While the Australian Government has released their master plan, it is up to each of the States and Territories to put the plans in place at their own pace. This guide is broken down by State & Territory to help.

A few things that are consistent include the following public health rules that should be followed at all times:

> Physical distancing (1.5m)
> Good hand hygiene (wash your hands!)
> Good respiratory hygiene (cough into your elbow or a tissue)
> Frequent environmental cleaning and disinfection
> Stay home if you are feeling unwell or have any symptoms

Want to host a wedding, funeral, birthday celebration, meeting, anniversary, or any other type of private celebration in 2020? Then read on to find out what is allowed and what falls into the grey area…

Jump to:
Planning Events in NSW during COVID-19 restrictions
Planning Events in VIC during COVID-19 restrictions
Planning Events in QLD during COVID-19 restrictions
Planning Events in ACT during COVID-19 restrictions
Planning Events in SA during COVID-19 restrictions
Planning Events in WA during COVID-19 restrictions
Planning Events in TAS during COVID-19 restrictions
Planning Events in NT during COVID-19 restrictions

Planning Events in NSW during COVID-19 Restrictions

Full details of the current COVID-19 restriction in NSW – as of Sunday, 21 November 2021

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Great news! Greater Sydney and NSW is opening back up after what has felt like a loooooong time. The “Road map to reopening” has a few stages and is changing every few days at the moment. So, for this reason we strongly recommend you head straight to NSW Government website for the latest in what’s allowed and what isn’t – just in case we don’t manage to update the information below in time. A link to the relevant information as of the date above is highlighted in blue above.

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What type of events and gatherings can currently be held in NSW…

Get excited as we’re nearly back to normal… But take it easy event planners, because no one wants to hit the news for being a “super spreader event”. Follow the rules and everyone will have a wonderful time.

Here’s what you can do in NSW when it comes to hosting events – if you and your guests are fully vaccinated*.

You can now have as many visitors as you’d like your home – house party!

You can also now make a reservation in a hospitality venue (that includes restaurants, function centres, bars, pubs, etc) for groups with no limit except you MUST adhere to the one person per 2 square metre capacity rule – again, all guests must be fully vaccinated. Oh and even better news, you can now eat and drink while seated and standing – bring on the cocktails and canapes!

For weddings and funerals it’s much the same.

Outdoor events and gatherings are well and truly back on for large groups too. However, if you’re expecting over 1000 people make sure you have and comply with a COVID-19 Safety Plan.

*If you’re not fully vaccinated at this point in time then you’re off limits to events and gatherings of most kinds.

All premises will operate at 1 person per 2sqm indoors and outdoors for gatherings and events.

Things to note:

• You need to be fully vaxxed to enjoy these freedoms.
• The venues you choose to attend must have a COVID-safe plan in place and you must check-in.
• Take care – the virus is still out there. So, be sensible while you’re having a great time.

Want to look ahead from 1 December it’s time to squeeze in a Christmas gathering like you’ve never had before!

Looking for COVID-safe venues in Sydney and NSW? Follow the links for some of the best venues for functions and events.

Planning Events in VIC during COVID-19 Restrictions

Full details of the current COVID-19 restriction in VIC – as of Sunday, 21 November 2021

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Great news! Victoria has opened back up and it’s time to start booking your last-minute end-of-year gatherings. For a list of great Melbourne venues keen for your business click the link <<<<. Keep reading below to find out exactly what you can do.

What type of events and gatherings can currently be held in VIC?

Victoria is now open for events with a few little guidelines to keep you all safe.

Now, when we say “open” we mean “open if you’re fully vaccinated”, and if you’re not, then you’ll have to cope with a limited social life for a little longer….

Restaurants, function centres, pubs, bars, etc are all open for social and planned events. You can gather at homes too – house party!

There’s a strong recommendation to stay 1.5m apart and where masks where you can’t, have symptoms or are with people who are vulnerable. We recommend you follow all the guidelines listed via the link above, to ensure your guests feel comfortable attending.

Venues should be checking vaccination status on entry, and if you’re not prepared to do that, then you’ll need to adhere to the 1 person per 4 sqm rule.

So, if you’re double-jabbed, get out there, reinvigorate your social life, help the hospitality and events industry rebuild and enjoy yourself (safely!).

Looking for COVID-safe venues in Melbourne and VIC? Follow the links for some of the best venues for functions and events.

Planning Events in QLD during COVID-19 Restrictions

Full details of the current COVID-19 restriction in QLD – as of Sunday, 21 November 2021

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What type of events and gatherings can currently be held in QLD?

Great news! Queensland is back to planning and hosting events!

This means you can now host events and functions at restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars, clubs, museums, galleries, function and entertainment centres – pretty much anywhere – abiding by the 2 square metre rule or 100% capacity in both indoor and outdoor settings. Masks don’t need to be worn, but the venue must ahere to the COVID Safe Checklist.

You’re allowed to serve food and drinks while standing or sitting – perfect for summer soirees!

If you’re hosting an event at home, it’s a max of 100 guests (if only we had a house that could squeeze that many in).

Wedding ceremonies may be held for up to 200 guests or 2 sqm rule applies or 100% capacity (whichever is greater).

There are no restrictions on outdoor events.

And, what about dancing you ask? In QLD the beats are playing and the dancefloor is open – including at outdoor music festivals, pubs, beer gardens, clubs and nightclubs – subject to the one person per 2 sqm rule.

Looking for COVID-safe venues in Brisbane and QLD? Follow the links for some of the best venues for functions and events.

Planning Events in ACT during COVID-19 Restrictions

Full details of the current COVID-19 restriction in ACT – as of Sunday, 21 November 2021

What type of events and gatherings can currently be held in ACT?

ACT is back open! And, according to multiple sources who have been in the Territory recently… “you wouldn’t know there was a pandemic at all!”.

Regardless, there are a few rules remaining when it comes to hosting events and functions – keep reading or follow the link above.

All organised events MUST have a COVID Safe Plan in place. For events over 2000, you need to complete the COVID Safe Event Checklist, which will then become the COVID Safe Plan for that event.

The 2 square metre rule applies for indoor and outdoor events.

All events over 1000 guests must pre-register or ticket the event. For events less than 1000, guests must all use the Check in CBR

For events between 1000 – 2000 guests you need to submit your COVID Safe Event Plan to ACT Health. For all events over 2000 guests you’ll need to apply for an exemption to the restrictions to proceed.

For more updates and details about what you can do in the ACT  follow the link above.

Planning Events in SA, WA, TAS and NT during COVID-19 Restrictions

Full details of the current COVID-19 restriction in SA

Full details of the current COVID-19 restriction in WA

Full details of the current COVID-19 restriction in TAS

Full details of the current COVID-19 restriction in NT

Happy planning (while staying healthy and safe) xo