Music venues in NSW can run at 50% capacity from Thursday

Venues in New South Wales have been given a glimmer of hope, with entertainment facilities including theatres, cinemas and concert halls allowed to operate at 50% capacity from this week.

Attendance will be capped for live gigs at 1,000, and patrons must be seated.

The new rules come into play from Thursday, October 1.

Corporate events and function centres will also be allowed to host 300 attendees.

Venues must have a COVID-Safe plan and adhere to public health requirements.

Create NSW said it was a major step forward to the performing arts sector’s recovery.

Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin, said the easing of restrictions was a win for jobs, venues and communities.

“For workers across the full spectrum of the performing arts – from box office staff to ushers, from technicians and roadies to the artists – this change means more jobs,” he said.

“For audiences, it means we can soon enjoy the experiences we have all missed so much during the pandemic.”

Earlier this week, the NSW Opposition pushed for the removal of bans and restrictions on live music across the state, and a Save Our Stages petition was launched by over 60 venues, which suggested 85% of live music venues were at risk.