Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced changes to current venue restrictions in a press conference today following a meeting of the National Cabinet.
"Today we also agreed, and noted the advice of the medical expert panel, that the two-square metre rule can be moved to for smaller premises," said Morrison at the conference.
"Smaller premises will be determined by the jurisdiction but, as a rule of thumb, that’s around about 100 square metres. So that means for much smaller premises that would have otherwise been trying to stick to a four-square-metre rule arrangement, this just gives it a bit more room for them to be taking more patrons."
"Where jurisdictions choose to do that, it's up to them to make those decisions. Tasmania and in Western Australia, they've already moved to that two-square metre arrangement so other states will be free to consider that."
The National Cabinet is also said to be working on a strategy for entertainment venues to reopen.
"The AHPPC [Australian Health Protection Principal Committee], the medical expert panel, has also been tasked to develop a road map for advice to the National Cabinet on entertainment venues and to assist with industry planning around major productions and events.
"At the announcement we made yesterday, one of the key issues still we knew needed to be addressed was that they need greater certainty about when they can start planning events for..."
"The plan will be addressing what may be possible for venues three months from now, six months from now, nine months from now, 12 months and so on, and that will assist those producers and other event planners with getting moving now and as a result, getting to access and seek support through the entertainment support package we announced yesterday."
Morrison also addressed the topic of outdoor music festivals throughout the summer, saying "In terms of the outdoor venues, well, that’s a matter that’s more in the hands of the states and territories, but we are already are seeing an easing of restrictions".
"I think there is an appetite to get back to something but it would, I would assume - and Brendan [Murphy, Chief Medical Officer] I’m sure you will comment - it would have to be under quite controlled circumstances and this is one of the reasons why we’ve asked the medical expert panel to look at what the road would be for the entertainment sector, so they can actually make some decisions about what is possible.
"But the key things that the expert advice has been focusing on is the ability to know who’s there, where they are when they’re there and who they’re coming in contact with and how those social distancing measures are being… enforced is the wrong word, but practised.
"So as time goes on, we’re finding that states and territories, as well as operators, are finding more innovative ways to respect the social distancing and conduct their business. And so I would hope that it would not be beyond their imaginations to overcome those issues and I would hope that we would see that happen as soon as it can be practicably arranged."
"The principle really is exactly as the PM has said, to make sure who’s there, so that there are tickets and you can contact people and, at least initially, while we’re getting confidence, that people are seated and are able to distance," added Murphy.
"At the moment, many states are already planning to have live music events in outdoor stadiums, where you can put people in seats. The sort of festivals where people crowd together in an uncontrolled fashion, are more risky, and they’re probably a bit later down the track, but in some states as they get more confident, they may look at those in increasing size."
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