Your Questions answered:
For your viewing, this will help you to understand the Wedding Industry Guide, to all involved. Each supplier of which will be guided by certain rules that apply to them. This plan is seemingly aimed at Wedding Venues, but if you are engaging a Wedding Supplier they will be able to refer you to the rules they have to comply with under the guidelines.
HOW MORE PEOPLE CAN LEGALLY ATTEND A WEDDING ?
https://www.chrisjack.com.au/blog/current-qld-coro LEGAL – Whom is our Info source
Due to the rapidly changing nature of COVID related restrictions (and their interpretations) my lawyer insisted I make it very clear that all information on this site is subject to these terms. This includes the provision that:
Whilst every care is taken, Chris Jack Photography (WorkZerk PTY Ltd) and Kelsey Sawyer (The Spit Roast Company Pty Ltd) does not provide any warranty or guarantee as to the performance, accuracy, timeliness, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. The information available through this website site is provided for educational, entertainment and informational purposes only for visitors. You are solely responsible for any actions you take or results you obtain as a result of using the information on this website. You acknowledge and agree that no information or advice provided by us including that contained on this website any way constitutes health, legal, governmental, medical, professional advice or advice of any other regulated industry or creates a warranty of any kind with respect to this website. This disclaimer applies to the fullest extent permitted by law and survives any termination or expiration of this agreement or your use of this website or the services or products found on this website.
BUT HERE GOES………………………..With the info
covid virus-wedding-restrictions
Wedding receptions and ceremonies held at a person’s residence (for example a backyard wedding) may have more people attend – if a business is engaged to manage the event and is operating under an approved COVID Safe Plan. For example, event manager or a Venue for Hire or a catering company who is operating under the Weddings Industry COVID Safe Plan.
This is the current advice provided on the Queensland Government website. This advice has only been recently added to the questions and answers section.
You can view this information in full here (scroll down to the ‘Questions about Gatherings’ section).
While this new clarification (including stating both the words ‘ceremony’ and ‘reception) is great news for couples with larger guest lists, please check with the vendors whether they are eligible and are ‘on board’ with these new guidelines. If in doubt, plan for the 4 square meters per person space for larger groups insdoors or outdoors. Large Properties may be the safest place for gatherings to happen for Weddings.
It would also be worth adding that many suppliers might still be hesitant to proceed, as they may not be aware of these recent statements, or be willing or able to implement the industry plan. The first step might be to just direct them to the information above.
Although the above answers do provide a potential solution to increasing guest numbers at private gatherings, they also raise more questions. For example, would the supplier (say wedding planner) be liable for any breaches of the direction? If so, they would probably want to legally limit their liability, especially in situations where they may not have ultimate control of the premises (such as inside a private house).
And if you have already hired a caterer, or were planning on using one for the above purposes, please bear in mind they would have to be (presumably) present throughout the duration of the event. So if you have hired a spit roast vendor with a COVID Safe Plan to setup in your backyard, they are going to have be there before, during and right to the end of the event to enforce the COVID Safe Plan (which might increase the cost for their time). Once the Supplier with a Covid safe plan leaves your premise, you the host would be totally responsible from this time, and subject to the Govt legal limits they impose on Privately held gatherings.
How many people can I have at a wedding? Your Questions answered:
A maximum of up to 100 people can attend wedding ceremonies that are conducted under a COVID Safe Plan so long as the size of the venue allows 4 sq meters per person. Social (or physical) distancing requirements still apply. Speak with the venue operators or your celebrant to determine the specific requirements of your wedding.
Wedding receptions and ceremonies held at a person’s residence (for example a backyard wedding) or public space (like a park) may have more people attend – if a business is engaged to manage the event and is operating under an approved COVID Safe Plan. For example, a Wedding Planner, catering company or event manager is operating under the Weddings Industry COVID Safe Plan.
Wedding services performed at a person’s residence or in a public space can have a maximum of 50 people attend, including the couple, if there is no COVID Safe Plan in place. Only businesses can operate under a COVID Safe Plan as listed under the Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction, these are not available to individuals. These restrictions are liable to change, so check current restrictions, please.
A record of names and contact details of each guest must be kept for maximum 56 days to assist in contact tracing if required.
No exemptions will be granted for weddings.
It is important if you are unwell, that you do not go to a wedding.
GETTING YOUR HEAD AROUND IT
What makes these new restrictions from August 22nd 2020 so difficult to get your head around is that they are split between restricted areas and non-restricted areas, and they are supplemental to previous directions.
That means that all the old Stage 3 restrictions from 24th July 2020 still apply, but these new ones are layered on top.
So while wedding ceremonies can still in theory have 100 people attend this is only in spaces where a COVID Safe Plan is in place such as a Church, or other venue (which could be a bar, restaurant, function room etc.)
CURRENT QLD CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS
Weddings (ceremonies and receptions) are essentially affected by the two directions below:
Movement and Gathering Direction (No. 3) (August 22nd 2020)
Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction (No. 5) (24th July 2020)
https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/covid-safe-events (1st January 2021)
WEDDING CEREMONIES
Social distancing measures are still in place. This includes frequent environmental cleaning and disinfection and remaining 1.5 metres apart at all times, except for any persons currently living together in the same bubble (such as the bride and groom).
10 persons maximum in restricted areas and 30 in unrestricted areas can gather for a private wedding ceremony providing each person is well and social distancing is maintained.
For the typical wedding ceremony (in practice) social distancing means no hugs or kisses except between guests who are living together already in the same bubble, and strict adherence to guest numbers and maintaining a contact list of those who attended.
The Brisbane Marriage Registry currently has a limit of 40 guests.
WEDDING RECEPTIONS
Your Questions answered???
Since July 24th 2020 guests can no longer stand when eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, cafes, pubs, licensed clubs, RSL clubs, function centres and licensed premises in hotels. Where there is a bar serving alcohol, you are permitted to leave your seat to obtain the drink, providing you immediately return to your seat. This is not the case now as at 01.01.2021
In terms of guest numbers at receptions held at commercial venues there can be no more than one person per 2 square metres (up to a total of 50 people) for venues or spaces of 200 square metres or less; or
No more than one person per 4 square metres for venues or spaces of 200 square metres or more*.
Where the 2 or 4 square metre rule applies, it applies to areas of the business that are open to or used by the public (and not the kitchen for example).
The 4 square metre rule applies in all other situations, such as a gathering at a private home (with a limit of no more than 10 in restricted areas, and 30 elsewhere in QLD).
CAN WE HAVE A BUFFET AT A PRIVATE GATHERING?
No, Food must be individually plated by Staff or Volunteers supplied by the Host or the Host themselves.
WOULD EXTERNAL SUPPLIERS AND CATERERS STAFF ETC. COUNT TOWARDS THIS 100 PERSON LIMIT FOR PRIVATE GATHERINGS?
No, not Suppliers but every other person counts including children or babies, and bear in mind the limit is now 30 (current Oct 2020) in QLD without a Supplier Covid safe Plan.
CAN I OBTAIN A COVID SAFE PLAN FOR MY EVENT E.G. BACKYARD WEDDING?
COVID Safe Plans are industry specific, and here is the wedding COVID safe plan. However, these are not available to individuals, only businesses.
IS A MARQUEE OR OPEN TENT CONSIDERED OUTDOORS IF THERE ARE NO WALLS?
Yes it is considered outdoors providing it has no walls or materials in place to enclose the space (such as the sides of a marquee).
CAN I SEAT PEOPLE NOT IN THE SAME FAMILY GROUP/BUBBLE AT THE SAME TABLE AT A PRIVATE GATHERING?
If they are in the same family/bubble then yes absolutely, otherwise they should be physically distanced (at least 1.5 metres) apart.
IF SPONTANEOUS DANCING HAPPENS AT MY WEDDING RECEPTION (AT HOME/PRIVATELY) IS THIS ALLOWED?
Yes, dancing is permitted at weddings Curret Jan 2021(including private gatherings/receptions) between the couple and their parents and guests. This includes gatherings taking place at private residences, with a 4 sq meter rule per person.
Weddings Industry COVID Safe Plan for Weddings in For-Hire Venues only – July 2020
Weddings Industry
COVID Safe Plan
for Weddings in For-Hire Venues
Jan 2021
