The Tasmanian Government is developing a framework to restart large-scale COVID-safe events from 1 December 2020.
Under the framework, event organisers will be able to apply to hold an event that exceeds current gathering restrictions, with the ability to host major events for up to 10,000 people in some cases.
Premier of Tasmania Peter Gutwein said the new framework will allow major events such as the Launceston Cup, Sydney to Hobart and music festivals to go ahead.
“Each of us has played an important role in reducing the risk of COVID-19 in Tasmania, and it’s because of that hard work that we’re now in a position to start planning for larger events again,” he said.
“The major Cups can go ahead, we plan to have major music festivals. Importantly, it provides a framework for the Sydney to Hobart to operate in as well. And for crowd sizes to be of a significant size for Big Bash Cricket and other sports over summer.”
Events will be categorised into the following three levels:
Level 1
- Free moving outdoor events can have up to 1,000 people
- Free moving indoor events can have up to 250 people
- Seated outdoor events at 50% capacity can have up to 2,000 people
- Seated indoor events at 50% capacity can have up to 500 people
- Events with multiple separate areas or sites can have up to 2,000 people
Level 2
- Free moving outdoor events can have up to 2,000 people
- Free moving indoor events can have up to 500 people
- Seated outdoor events at 50% capacity can have up to 5,000 people
- Seated indoor events at 50% capacity can have up to 1,000 people
- Events with multiple separate areas or sites can have up to 5,000 people
Level 3
- Free moving outdoor events can have up to 5,000 people
- Free moving indoor events can have up to 1,000 people
- Seated outdoor events at 50% capacity can have up to 10,000 people
- Seated indoor events at 50% capacity can have up to 2,000 people
- Events with multiple separate areas on one site, or across multiple sites, can have up to 10,000 people in total
Gutwein stressed events under all three levels of the framework must be well managed and must comply with existing density and physical distancing requirements.
“I want to make this point, that whilst these larger events can go ahead, they will not be conducted as per normal,” he said.
“They will be conducted in a COVID normal way moving forward. That’s important for us all to recognise and understand.”
All events will also need to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place and organisers will be required to show how they will meet the current COVID-19 safety requirements and restrictions.
The government says the framework is being developed in consultation with the events, sports, arts and entertainment sectors and is consistent with World Health Organization, Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and Public Health Services advice.
More details will be released in the coming week.
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