The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused unprecedented and wide-reaching challenges for Victoria’s creative and cultural sector. We have gathered the following information in response to pressing questions received.
State of Emergency extended
The current Declaration of State of Emergency has been extended through to 11.59pm 29 January 2021.
Update: New restrictions apply in Victoria
With new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), new restrictions are now in place to keep Victoria safe.
As of 5pm on 31 December:
- the number of people who can visit you in your home per day has been reduced to 15 from 30 (babies under the age of 12 months are not included in the cap)
- Face masks must be worn when in indoor spaces (other than private residences), on public transport, and in commercial passenger vehicles, apart from when eating or drinking, unless a lawful reason not to wear one applies. Masks are strongly recommended in the home if people other than your immediate household are present.
We all need to be COVIDSafe - avoid hugging and kissing, practice good hand hygiene and if you are sick, get tested and stay home.
Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au for more details.
Update: Victorian Border Crossing Permit
Victoria’s border with New South Wales is closed, entry into Victoria is restricted.
From 11:59pm 3 January 2021, agriculture, commercial freight or essential services workers travelling to Victoria for work can apply online for a permit to enter Victoria. Each adult needs their own permit.
To apply for a Victorian Border Crossing Permit, visit the Service Victoria website.
For more information visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
Border communities
Border community residents are exempt from obtaining and carrying a permit to support them in going about their daily lives. Instead, they are able to use their driver licence, or other forms of photo ID to prove their home address.
For more information, including the local government areas within the border zone, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
COVIDSafe Summer – 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
Capacity
Seated venues (indoor and outdoor)
- Seated entertainment venues (both indoor and outdoor) an have up to 75 per cent of fixed seated capacity up to a maximum patron cap of 1000 people.
- 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.
- Where possible, a density quotient of 1 person per 2 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 1 person per 4 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.
Non-seated indoor
- Indoor non-seated venues (such as galleries and museums) can open with up to 50 per cent of total capacity and a maximum patron cap of 1000 people per space.
- Dance floors can return with a density quotient of 1 person per 4 square metres up to a maximum of 50 people at one time, if the space allows.
- Arts and entertainment venues that include hospitality or retail offerings should refer to the relevant industry guidelines.
Non-seated outdoor
- Outdoor non-seated entertainment venues (such as sculpture parks, live museums) can open with a density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres when using electronic record keeping (otherwise 1 person per 4 square metres applies).
- Indoor spaces at outdoor venues can open subject to the restrictions relevant to the space (e.g. hospitality or retail).
Creative Studios
- Creative arts facilities (such as studios and workshops) can operate with a density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres, subject to the use of electronic record keeping (otherwise 1 person per 4 square metres applies).
Drive in cinemas
- Drive in cinemas can open. Areas outside of vehicles are subject to a density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres, when using electronic record keeping (otherwise 1 person per 4 square metres applies).
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.
Face masks
Face masks must be worn when in indoor spaces (other than private residences), on public transport, and in commercial passenger vehicles, apart from when eating or drinking, unless a lawful reason not to wear one applies. Masks are strongly recommended in the home if people other than your immediate household are present. Further details on mask wearing requirements are available here.
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, face mask restrictions or recommendations as applicable, COVIDSafe hygiene and physical distancing recommendations.
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.
- Should your event meet the definition of an eligible public event, the Public Events Framework will apply. If it does not, then you will need to comply with the Restricted Activity Directions for your facility, venue or activity.
- Public events will be assessed according to their scale, complexity and associated risk factors.
- Public events are classified into three tiers based on the number of attendees and consideration of the public health risk factors involved.
- Tier 1 events criteria
- Events with 5,000 or more attendees.
- Events with 1000 to 5,000 attendees that involve six or more public health risk factors.
- Tier 2 events criteria
- Events with 1000 to 5,000 attendees.
- No more than five public health risk factors.
- Tier 1 and 2 events must
- Submit a COVIDSafe Event Plan to the Victorian Government for public health review and approval.
- Tier 3 events criteria
- Events with 1000 or fewer.
- Risk factors do not apply.
- Do not require approval by Government. They must align with the Restricted Activity Directions and can proceed by submitting a COVIDSafe Event Checklist or an existing COVIDSafe plan for their venue or business.
- If a venue is holding a public event outside of ordinary, day-to-day operations, use, activities or services, the event organiser will be required to complete a COVIDSafe Event Plan or a COVIDSafe Event Checklist. Use the Public event self-assessment tool.
- If you are both the venue operator and the organiser, then both a COVIDSafe Plan and a COVIDSafe Event plan are required.
- Festivals will need to have an overall COVIDSafe Event Plan for the entire festival – not necessarily for each individual venue. However, the plan will need to include COVIDSafe measures for each venue and each site’s venue operator will be required to have a COVIDSafe Plan.
- Depending on the size and risk factors associated with the event, each individual venue will be assessed by the Victorian Government.
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 health measures
Victoria’s COVIDSafe Summer restrictions apply from 11.59pm on Sunday 6 December (see Premier Daniel Andrews’ announcement). These restrictions are expected to be in place for the summer period and will be reviewed regularly to ensure they reflect current health advice.
See our Restrictions summary and Q&As to learn more about what this means for the creative industries.
For a full run down of current Victorian restrictions, visit the Victorian Government’s coronavirus website.
CovidSAFE Summer
Seated entertainment venues (both indoor and outdoor) can have up to 75 per cent of fixed seated capacity up to a maximum patron cap of 1000 people.
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.
Where possible, a density quotient of 1 person per 2 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 1 person per 4 square metres applies.
Entry to, and egress from, a seated space or a non-seated space should be monitored and staggered, where possible, to ensure compliance with the density quotient and capacity limits.
Indoor non-seated venues (such as galleries and museums) can open with up to 50 per cent of total capacity and a maximum patron cap of 1000 people per space.
Dancefloors can return with a density quotient of 1 person per 4 square metres up to a maximum of 50 people at one time, if the space allows.
Arts and entertainment venues that include hospitality or retail offerings should refer to the relevant industry guidelines.
Outdoor non-seated entertainment venues (such as sculpture parks, live museums) can open with a density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres when using electronic record keeping (otherwise 1 person per 4 square metres applies).
Indoor spaces at outdoor venues can open subject to the restrictions relevant to the space (e.g. hospitality or retail).
Yes. Creative arts facilities (such as studios and workshops) can operate with a density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres, subject to the use of electronic record keeping (otherwise 1 person per 4 square metres applies).
To stage a public event that exceeds 1,0000 patrons, arts and entertainment venues can apply to be considered under the Public Events Framework. Public events will be assessed according to their scale, complexity and associated risk factors.
Information about the Public Events Framework can be found at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/public-events
Drive in cinemas can open. Areas outside of vehicles are subject to a density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres, when using electronic record keeping (otherwise 1 person per 4 square metres applies).
Funding and Support
Creative Victoria is working closely with the Minister for Creative Industries on a range of support measures to help the sector through the challenges posed by coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes rolling out the Victorian Government’s dedicated creative industries support.
To date, the Victorian Government has announced a total of $107.2 million to help the state’s creative sector through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, in addition to broader programs and support.
This dedicated funding will help maintain creative jobs and activity, help individuals, organisations and businesses to regenerate income, develop new work and provide new opportunities for creative community participation during the current shutdown and beyond. It includes:
- $48 million to ensure our State-owned creative and cultural institutions survive the impacts of the pandemic and protect their workers.
- $17.2 million for COVIDSafe performances, events and programs across Victoria to reactivate the creative and events sectors and employ thousands of Victorians.
- $13 million to support almost 100 non-government arts and cultural organisations state-wide.
- $4.7 million in quick response grants for independent creatives and micro-businesses across the state through the new Sustaining Creative Workers initiative.
- $19 million for the music industry, including support for live music venues ($15 million), music workers and businesses, and for key events and online initiatives.
- $2 million to commission new works by local artists through the RISING Festival.
- $1.6 million in grants through Creative Victoria’s programs focusing on activities that can be undertaken in the current climate, such as the research and development of new creative works, professional development activities and new ways of reaching audiences.
- $1.1 million to support the urgent needs of key creative organisations and facilities, benefiting many hundreds of individual artists and small businesses.
- $700,000 to commission original creative content for the Victoria Together online platform.
Given the extraordinary circumstances, Creative Victoria is also being as flexible as possible with reporting requirements for previously funded activity and with changes to projects, programs and timelines.
Visit Financial Support for information on support available through Creative Victoria, other government programs, and creative industries grants and opportunities.
The Commonwealth Government and the Victorian Government have announced economic support packages for businesses impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) including not for profits and sole traders.
We have compiled a summary of available programs on the Financial Support page of the COVID-19 section of our website.
We recommend that you contact Business Victoria (13 22 15 or business.vic.gov.au) for current advice and assistance.
For more information and to apply visit Business Victoria.
Creative Victoria
Creative Victoria is open to assist you, with staff working remotely. Creative Victoria has a Business Continuity Plan in place to ensure that we can continue to support and communicate with the sector through this situation, deliver programs, and make payments.
Creative Victoria’s funding programs have continued with some modifications where possible in the circumstances, especially in relation to support for international travel and public gatherings. We note that some projects may need to change given the current public health measures. We will accept changes to deliverables, KPIs and delivery platforms. Please contact program staff to discuss your project.
We have also introduced new programs to support the sector through the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19), including:
- Victorian Music Industry Recovery Program (now closed)
- Sustaining Creative Workers (now closed)
- Organisations Strategic Investment Fund (now closed)
- Victorian Live Music Venues program (now closed)
We will continue to publish information on future funding rounds and new opportunities on our website and via our digital channels, please keep in touch by subscribing to our eNews and following us on social media.
See our Grants and Support page for information on our suite of grants programs.
My funded project has been impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19). Will I need to give the funding back?
If you are a current funding recipient and you will not be able to deliver on your project, or your plans have been affected, please contact Creative Victoria program staff. We understand these are drastically changed circumstances and will provide as much flexibility as possible, including changes to deliverables, KPIs and delivery platforms.
Please get in touch with your Client Manager or funding program staff to discuss your needs. If you don’t know who best to speak with, contact our reception email and general telephone line and you will be directed to the right place.
Organisations funded through the Organisations Investment, Regional Partnerships and Major Performing Arts programs will continue to receive their funding, regardless of any changes and disruptions to their activities. This funding is secure through to June 2021, December 2021 or June 2022 depending on the agreements. The funding agreements for organisations that receive operational funding as special initiatives will also be honoured.
Note: we will accept changes to deliverables, KPIs and delivery platforms. Please speak with your Client Manager about your needs.
Given these extraordinary circumstances we will be as flexible as possible with reporting and acquittals, please contact program staff to discuss your needs.
For organisations that receive funding through the Organisations Investment Program, outcomes reporting for 2020 has been suspended.
The world has changed dramatically, and rapidly, since we undertook consultation last year for Victoria’s next creative industries strategy. Right now, we are focused on assessing the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) and ensuring that Victorian creative institutions, organisations, events and individuals are supported.
The Creative State strategy is being reconsidered in light of the impacts of the current crisis.