The stage 3 restrictions are effective from midday on Friday 3 July. To help you understand what this means for your business, we have answered some frequently asked questions below.
- The updated Roadmap states that nightclubs may re-open. Does this mean that dance floors can now be used?
Dance floors may not be used for dancing but may be used for dining or drinking. - Are the industry approved plans redundant now?
No, if you are operating in accordance with an industry plan you must continue to do so. We believe that there are updates to the Hotels and Clubs COVID Safe Plan to incorporate more detail for nightclubs and adult entertainment venues that are presently with Queensland Health. We are closely monitoring these changes and will let you know when we have more information. Once these are in place, you may wish to review the new version against your business practices. - Does the reference in the Roadmap to nightclubs include adult entertainment venues?
Kind of. “High risk venues” which include nightclubs and adult entertainment venues, are expressly mentioned in the updated version of the CHO direction for stage 3. It states that adult entertainment venues may operate but must do so in compliance with an approved industry plan. - Does the removal of the requirement for defined areas allow a licensee to calculate the allowable number of patrons by totalling all the public areas of the venue and dividing by four, but have most or all of those patrons in a smaller area?
On the face of it, yes, but that doesn’t feel like it’s in the spirit of things. One possible consideration would be that in order to include an area of the premises in your calculation it would need to be available for patrons to use. Another consideration may be that because smaller venues can now have a higher patron density – 1 patron per 2 square metres – larger venues with multiple areas may not need to be as focussed on managing patron density.The underlying idea, according to the CHO in yesterday’s press conference, is for patrons to have the opportunity to practice physical distancing, which would tie in with either of these approaches. We have sought specific clarification of OLGR’s views on these points and will let you know as soon as we hear back. - Is bar service allowed?
Yes. - Can a larger venue be broken into smaller venues to take advantage of the 1:2 square metre equation?
From our reading of the updated public health direction, no this would not be possible.
Annual Licence Fees
Annual licence fees have been waived for the 2020/21 financial year.
No Change to Value of Penalty Unit
The start of the financial year normally triggers an increase in the value of the penalty unit. This year the increase has been declared at 0%, therefore the penalty unit remains at $133.45 and there is no need for licensees to update compliance signs.
RMLV Training
If you need to renew your RMLV, we provide an online course every second Tuesday, with the next one scheduled for 14 July 2020. Please call our office to find out more or make a booking.
