Victoria’s dancefloors reopen, but Andrews warns ‘they’ll look different’

Victoria’s nightclubs reopened their dancefloors from 11.59 pm last night, 12 hours after premier Daniel Andrews announced more easing of COVID restrictions.

“They will look different and need to be different but able to reopen in a COVID-safe way,” he said.

“You don’t have to be seated you are able to stand at the public bar.”

There is now a 4sqm rule in place for the dancefloor (with a maximum of 50 patrons), and one person per two square metres for everywhere else in the venue.

“The health advice still stands: no hugs, no handshakes and if you’re feeling sick, you need to get tested and stay home,” Andrews said.

The new rules came after Victoria recorded its 37th day without any new coronavirus cases.

Stand-up drinking returns to restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes, with no patron caps indoors or outdoors. However, QR codes for contact tracing purposes are now mandatory for venues looking to cash in on the new 2sqm rule. Those who don’t keep these electronic records will face the rule of one person per four square metres, similar to WA and the ACT.

Small venues that have less than 25 people face no spacing requirements.

Increased capacity for entertainment venues takes them closer to once again becoming financially viable, and Melbourne lord mayor Sally Capp called it a “major boost” to the state economy.

The return of dancefloors to Victoria has come earlier than anticipated. Health authorities were concerned that in other states, there were examples of a minority of owners not only allowing severe breaches of physical distancing but actually celebrating these on social media.

As reported in TMN, NSW nightclubs return today (December 7) with 50 on dancefloors, as announced by the government on December 2. Brisbane returned dancing in mid-November after nine months for venues with outdoor spaces. Until then, patrons had to sit while listening to dance music.

Major nightclubs throughout Queensland reported there was such a rush by patrons to dance that queues stretched for an hour.

Victoria’s live music industry will also wait to see what is decided for major events such as the Australian Open, which features major concerts.

Andrews explained, “Large events will be determined and we have a process as we set up to do an event by event plan, taking into account the circumstances of each of those larger events.”