Restrictions summary and Q&As

UPDATE: Victoria returns to COVIDSafe Settings

Victoria returns to COVIDSafe Settings from 11:59pm on Friday 26 February 2021. To find out what this means for the creative industries, see our Restrictions summary and Q&As. For full details of the current Victorian restrictions, visit the Victorian Government coronavirus website.

COVIDSafe Settings – Restrictions summary for the Creative Industries

COVIDSafe Plan

All workplaces with on-site operations must have a COVIDSafe Plan.
Home-based businesses must also have a COVIDSafe Plan.

Face masks

You must always carry a face mask with you when you leave home unless you have a lawful reason not to. Face masks continue to be mandatory in some locations, unless a lawful reason not to wear one applies. For a full list of settings where masks continue to be mandatory, see: Face masks.

Social gatherings

• You can have up to 30 visitors to your home per day.
• Up to 100 people can meet outdoors in a public place.

Capacity

Seated venues (indoor and outdoor)

• Seated entertainment venues (both indoor and outdoor) can have up to 75 per cent of the total fixed seated capacity of the facility, subject to the per space limits outlined below:
  • For each seated space within the facility, the patron limit is the lesser of 75 per cent of the total seated capacity for that space, to a maximum of 1000 people per space. Note, venues may have more than one seated space.
  • For any non-seated space within the facility, the patron limit is the lesser of the number permitted under a density quotient of one person per two square metres, if using electronic record-keeping (e.g., QR code system), or one person per four square metres if using paper-based record-keeping, to a maximum of 1000 people per space.
  • There are no longer mandatory spacing requirements between groups in seated entertainment venues, however it is recommended that people maintain 1.5m distance from others where possible.
  • A density quotient of one person per two square metres applies in non-seated spaces, such as foyers, bars, bathrooms etc when using electronic record-keeping. In venues not using electronic record keeping, a density quotient of one person per four square metres applies.
  • Entry to, and egress from, a seated space or a non-seated space is monitored and staggered, where possible, to ensure compliance with the density quotient and capacity limits.
  • Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.
  • Arrangements for capacity over 1000 patrons per space are determined on an individual basis under the Public Events Framework.
  • Density quotient and capacity limits do not apply if the venue is used exclusively by a single school.

Non-seated indoor venues

• Indoor non-seated venues (such as galleries and museums) can open with up to 50 per cent of total capacity as stated in the occupancy permit, subject to the per space limits outlined below:
  • For any non-seated space within the facility, the patron limit is the lesser of the number permitted under a density quotient of one person per two square metres, if using electronic record-keeping (e.g. QR code system), or one person per four square metres if using paper-based record-keeping, to a maximum of 1000 per space.
  • For seated spaces within the facility, the patron limit is the lesser of 75 per cent of the total seated capacity for that space, to a maximum of 1000 people per space.
• Dance floors can return with a density quotient of one person per four square metres up to a maximum of 50 people at one time, if the space allows.
• Density quotient of one person per two square metres when using electronic record-keeping. In venues not using electronic record-keeping (i.e. paper-based) a density quotient of one person per four square metres applies.
• Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.
• Arrangements for capacity over 1000 patrons per space are determined on an individual basis under the Public Events Framework.
• Arts and entertainment venues that include hospitality or retail offerings should refer to the relevant industry guidelines.
• Density quotient and capacity limits do not apply if the venue is used exclusively by a single school.

Non-seated outdoor venues

• Outdoor non-seated entertainment venues (such as sculpture parks, live museums) can open subject to each space meeting the following capacity limits:
  • For any non-seated outdoor space, the patron limit is determined by a density quotient of one person per two square metres when using electronic record-keeping (otherwise one person per four square metres applies).
  • For any seated outdoor space, the patron limit is 75 per cent of the total seated capacity for that space.
  • For seated spaces within the facility, the patron limit is the lesser of 75 per cent of the total seated capacity for that space, to a maximum of 1000 people per space.
• No group limits.
• Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.
• Indoor spaces at outdoor venues can open subject to the restrictions relevant to the space (e.g. hospitality or retail).
• Arrangements for capacity over 1000 patrons per space are determined on an individual basis under the Public Events Framework.
• Density quotient and capacity limits do not apply if the venue is used exclusively by a single school.

Creative studios

• Creative arts facilities (such as studios and workshops) can operate with no patron caps and a density quotient of one person per two square metres, subject to the use of electronic record-keeping (otherwise one person per four square metres applies).
• Density quotient and capacity limits do not apply if the venue is used exclusively by a single school.

Dance floors

• Dance floors can return with a density quotient of one person per four square metres up to a maximum of 50 people at one time, if the space allows.

Return to offices

• Office-based workplaces will be able to increase the return to on-site work with up to 75 per cent of workers onsite.
• Workplaces with 40 or more workers can have 75 per cent of workers on site at any one time.
• Workplaces with fewer than 40 workers can have up to 30 workers on site at any one time.

Drive-in cinemas

• Drive-in cinemas can open. Areas outside of vehicles are subject to a density quotient of one person per two square metres, when using electronic record-keeping (otherwise one person per four square metres applies).
• Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.

Set-building

• Set-building for theatre, film and television must adhere to construction sector guidelines.

Record-keeping

Record-keeping for all Victorian workplaces:

• Employers must keep a record of all workers and visitors who attend the workplace for longer than 15 minutes, including first name, contact number, date and time of the visit and areas of the workplace visited.
• Employers are strongly recommended to use electronic record-keeping for this purpose. This includes the Victorian Government’s QR Code Service which is available for free to all Victorian businesses.
• Employers must keep records to show compliance with directions including all logs created during the time of directions being in force, work premises rosters, time and attendance records and payroll data.
• From 27 March, all businesses using electronic record keeping – such as a QR code – must use a system that’s compatible with the Victorian Government contact tracing system to help contact tracers respond to outbreaks even faster.
• The Victorian Government has developed an Application Programming Interface (API) that allows QR code systems to ‘speak’ with Victoria’s Department of Health (DH) contact tracing system technology.
• For more information visit the coronavirus.vic.gov.au/qrcode. You can check if your QR code provider has connected to the Government’s API by visiting coronavirus.vic.gov.au/visitationAPI.

Signage

For all Victorian workplaces:

• Where a workplace has a publicly accessible space, employers must display signage at each public entry to each indoor and outdoor space, indicating maximum capacity and face mask restrictions where required.

Cleaning

For all Victorian workplaces:

• Employers should ensure shared spaces and public spaces are cleaned with disinfectant regularly, with high touch surfaces cleaned twice each day. Shared equipment should be cleaned between uses.

Public Events Framework

Entertainment venues can apply to be considered under the Public Events Framework (PEF) where activity exceeds venue density quotients or capacity restrictions. Detailed information on the PEF can be found here.

For more detail, please see the Premier’s statement.

Victorian Travel Permit System

Victoria has established a permit system for travel into Victoria from interstate and New Zealand.

From 11:59pm on 26 February, you will need to apply for a permit to enter Victoria from anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

The permit system is based on a traffic light system which allows for areas across Australia and New Zealand to be designated as green, orange or red according to their risk. Find more information about red, orange and green permit zones.

The permit system is for both travellers to Victoria and residents of Victoria returning home from interstate or New Zealand.

New South Wales/Victorian border communities will continue to have exceptions and will be able to use local residence identification to cross the border – such as a driver’s licence.

To apply for a Victorian Border Crossing Permit, visit the Service Victoria website.

For more information visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.