Media release – Dr Mark Veitch, Director of Public Health23 April 2021
Tasmania to ease COVID-19 restrictions on seated events
Organisers of large, ticketed and seated gatherings in Tasmania will be able to apply to increase their capacity to 100%, under changes to the public health directions Management of Premises and Mass Gatherings.
The ease in restrictions from the current 75% cap will take effect from May 1 and will allow increased capacity at a range of seated venues including theatres, cinemas, places of worship and sports grounds such as Bellerive Oval.
Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch says the current requirement for face masks to be worn in certain circumstances at indoor venues will also be removed.
The current direction requires people attending events and venues such as cinemas and funerals to wear masks when 75% capacity causes the gathering to exceed the one person per two square metre density rule.
From May 1, face masks will not be required at any seated indoor event.
The new directions will implement recent recommendations made by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). Dr Veitch said the new directions would also bring Tasmania into line with most other Australian jurisdictions, which now permit 100% capacity at large seated events, subject to a range of COVID-safe measures.
For indoor gatherings of 250 or more and outdoor events with 1000 or more people, the Framework for COVID-19 Safe Events and Activities in Tasmania still applies. Organisers with new applications for 100% capacity for their events should continue to go through the Framework portal via the Business Tasmania Website.
For those Tasmanian venues with an existing approval of up to 75 per cent seated capacity, there is no need to apply again. These venues will shortly receive an updated approval for 100 per cent seated capacity from May 1.
