Everything You Need To Know With The Latest COVID-19 Updates: January 2021

We know it can be hard keeping up with all the latest COVID-19 updates and restrictions. That’s why we’ve gone out and collated everything you need to know when it comes to what you can and can’t do in your state. 

New South Wales 

• In Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong areas, it is mandatory to wear a face mask indoors.
• From the beginning of Sunday 10 January 2021, all Northern Beaches residents are to follow the restrictions for Greater Sydney.
• No more than 30 people can gather outside in a public place which includes public parks, reserves, beaches, public gardens and spaces.
• Up to a maximum of 100 people can attend a wedding and funeral.
• A maximum of 300 people, subject to the 1 person per 4 square metres rule applies for each separate area of a hospitality venue.
• Other than the Northern Beaches, there are no restrictions around travelling to or from regional or rural NSW, or other areas of NSW.
• From Tuesday 12 January 2021, face masks must be worn indoors at all NSW airports and on domestic commercial flights into or out of NSW, including when the flight is landing at or taking off from the airport.

Queensland

• You can have 20 people gather in people’s homes, non-residences and outdoor settings.
• All businesses may now have one person per 4 square metres on their premises indoors, or one person per 2 square metres outdoors. Businesses with a floor space less than 200 square metres can have one person per 2 square metres, up to 50 people at a time.
• Funerals and weddings can have up to 100 attendees
• Restaurants and cafes can open for seated eating and drinking, no standing allowed
• If you are in an impacted area or have been in an impacted area at any time since 7am AEST 2 January 2021 you must carry a face mask with you at all times. You must wear a face mask when you are in certain public indoor spaces.

Victoria

• You must carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home. Fitted face masks must be worn when you are in public indoor spaces unless you have a lawful reason not to.
• Face masks continue to be mandatory on public transport and when in taxis or ride share vehicles.
• You can have up to 15 visitors to your home per day.
• Up to 100 people can meet outdoors in a public place.
• Businesses that are required to record the details of visitors should use electronic record keeping or QR codes. The Victorian Government has a free QR code service.
• Restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs can open for seated and unseated service. They must use electronic record keeping and apply the two square metre rule to ensure that customers have enough room to keep 1.5 metres between themselves and others.
• Weddings, funerals and religious gatherings can occur with no limits on the number of guests or attendees. To ensure people can keep 1.5 metres distance the venue must apply the two square metre rule.
• Dance floors can reopen in bars and pubs as well as at weddings. The four-square metre rule must be applied to limit the number of people on the dance floor and there can only be up to 50 people on the dancefloor at one time, if space allows.

South Australia

• Wearing a face mask is not mandatory, but it is recommended to wear a mask when out in public if you are unable to physically distance.
• 50 people allowed per house
• 200 people maximum on private property
• 200 people, maximum 1 person per 2 square metres for private functions such as weddings and funerals
• Travel within most of South Australia is unrestricted, although people are advised to avoid unnecessary travel.
• The density requirement of 1 person per 2 square metres applies for all defined public activities. The maximum number of attendees at a place of business will be determined by its size.

Western Australia

• 2 square metre rule for gatherings (except for seated and ticketed performances at seated entertainment spaces within selected venues and places of worship)

Tasmania 

• The number of people permitted at businesses/activities (other than households) is determined by the density of the area, up to a maximum of:
  • 250 people for an undivided space in an indoor premises; and
  • 1,000 people in an undivided space outdoors.
• The maximum density limit is one person per 2 square metres.
• From Friday 1 January 2021, outdoor spectator sporting events will be enabled to increase their capacity from 50 percent to 75 percent of their seated capacity.
• Standing and drinking alcohol and/or dancing is permitted in premises with a liquor licence or liquor permit up to a maximum of 100 people in indoor spaces and 250 people in outdoor spaces, within current density requirements.
• Gatherings at residential premises – including shacks – are limited to up to 100 people (including children and babies) at any one time.

Northern Territory

• Events with less than 100 people do not require completion of a checklist or safety plan, however the physical distancing and hygiene principles should still be considered and implemented.
• Events and public gatherings of 100 to 500 people must complete a COVID-19 safety checklist.
• Major events and public gatherings of over 500 people must submit a COVID-19 Event Safety Plan and receive formal approval from the Chief Health Officer prior to the event proceeding.

ACT

• There is no limit on household visitors.
• If businesses and venues want to have more than 25 people across their venue, they can apply the one person per two square metres of usable space rule in both indoor and outdoor spaces provided they use the Check In CBR app to collect patron contact details.
• Nightclubs must operate in accordance with the conditions in place for licensed venues.
• Large indoor performance venues (with forward-facing and tiered seating, such as theatres and arenas) can have events up to 65% capacity, up to 1,500 people, provided the events are ticketed and seated and a COVID Safe Plan is in place for each event.
• Patrons in outdoor spaces can stand while eating and drinking; however, they are strongly encouraged to remain in their groups and should not mingle with people they do not know.
• Keep 1.5 metres away from people or groups you don’t know whenever possible.

Keeping restrictions in mind, feel free to browse for spaces now and book your next flexible space, event, meeting and more today!

Source of COVID-19 updates and resrictions:

https://www.australia.gov.au/news-and-updates