Current QLD COVID-19 Wedding Restrictions

PRIVATE GATHERINGS IN HOMES AND PUBLIC SPACES IN QLD ARE CURRENTLY RESTRICTED TO A MAXIMUM OF 10 PEOPLE IN RESTRICTED AREAS OF GREATER BRISBANE AND GOLD COAST, AND 30 IN UN-RESTRICTED REGIONS.

Announced 22nd August 2020 the QLD government has restricted private social gatherings to 10 persons in restricted areas (Greater Brisbane, Gold Coast and Darling Downs on 8AM 31st August 2020) and 30 persons in un-restricted areas.

The direction is in place as stated in the direction from 8am on 22 August 2020 until the end of the declared public health emergency, unless it is revoked or replaced. At this stage there is no end date, so I recommend if you are planning a wedding in 2020 to read further.

These new additional restrictions are targeted at people gathering anywhere for private social gatherings. A wedding ceremony or reception at your house or outdoors in public including council land with a celebrant now comes under these restrictions.

Wedding venues, churches, chapels and all other commercial venues such as hotels, cafes, function centres, restaurants, bars etc. are allowed to have more than 10 guests in restricted areas with their relevant COVID Safe Industry Plan.

All Queensland venues currently operating have a COVID SAFE PLAN in place. Should you have any concerns please contact your venue. If you are hosting your wedding on council land or at a private residence please see some of the most frequently asked questions I have received lately.

FAQ

1. What are the current Queensland COVID-19 regulations affecting weddings?

Weddings (ceremonies and receptions) are essentially affected by the two directions below:

Restricted Areas (31st August 2020)

Movement and Gathering Direction (No. 3) (22nd August 2020)

Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction (No. 5) (24th July 2020)

Queensland Border Zone Map (20 August 2020)

2. Can I have guest from NSW travel to my wedding in QLD?

As you may be aware QLD has closed it borders to VIC, SA and NSW residents with exemption of border residents or essential health care. A border zone resident is someone who lives in a community on the Queensland New South Wales border and they are allowed to travel for any purpose should they reside in the Queensland Border Zone Map. They will still need to apply for a border pass for your wedding and can do so online at https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/border-restrictions.

3. Can I still hold my wedding at a private property if I have more then 10 people?

Wedding receptions and ceremonies held at a private 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, a catering company or wedding planner is operating under the Weddings Industry COVID Safe Plan.

Reference: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/movements-gatherings

4. Can I obtain a COVID safe plan for my wedding?

COVID Safe Plans are industry specific and these are not available to individuals, only businesses. You can view an outline of the wedding COVID safe plan. Under the legislation you will need a caterer or wedding planner present and implementing their COVID safe plan at your private residence should you have over 10 people in a restricted area and 30 in a non-restricted area.

If you have hired a caterer with a COVID Safe Plan, they need to be at your private venue before, during and right to the end of your wedding to ensure the COVID Safe Plan is implemented according to the government regulations.

5. How does the COVID safe plan affect my wedding ceremony?

• At your ceremony social distancing measures need to be implemented. This includes 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.

• In addition, frequent environmental cleaning and disinfection is essential.

6. Under the COVID wedding safe plan what regulations do I need to follow at a private venue reception?

• Number of people at your reception can not exceed 100 guest including suppliers.
• 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*.

However for a private venue (such as home or council land) the 4 square metre rule applies (with a limit of no more than 10 in restricted areas, and 30 elsewhere in QLD unless you have a COVID safe plan with a vendor).

• Seating – All guest must be kept separated from defined areas by a minimum of 1.5 metres at all times, others must remain seated and stay when in the defined area, and they must be provided table service by dedicated staff for that defined area.
• Joining tables or swapping of assigned seating at tables is not permitted.
• Social distance between table edges/centres to adjacent tables (minimum 1.5m between patrons seated at different tables) and no more than 1 patron per 4 square meter on average across the area.

• No buffet self-service food is currently permitted. Food must be served to your table.

• Dancing – Dancing is only allowed for the wedded couple and their parents. No other dancing is permitted. Example – a couple may perform a ‘first dance’ for their wedding guests, but the guests may not participate in dancing on a dance floor.

• Live Music – Live Music or DJs are permitted provided they comply with existing state regulations relating to live music.

• Contact Register – You wedding vendor must maintain a contact register if contact tracing is required later.

• Private venue hygiene guidelines

1. Make hand sanitisers freely available throughout the business based upon capacity for customer use.
2. Hand and respiratory hygiene are to be encouraged
3. Frequent environmental cleaning and disinfection must be maintained

Reference: The Restaurant and Catering Wedding Industry COVID-19 Safe Plan

7. What if I still have questions who do I call?

If you are seeking clarification on a public health direction or have any questions, please call 134 COVID (134 268).

I have received conflicting/contradictory information on multiple occasions, when calling government departments including COVID Line, QLD Business and QLD Health.

8. How can I help?

If you would like a complimentary consultation feel free to call me and I will do my best to assist you in any way I can. I am a qualified wedding planner with a COVID safe plan ready to implement at your private venue. I understand with all this uncertainty and change there is a lot for you and your fiancé to wrap your head around. Please be rest assured I am here for you and want to ensure you still have the best day ever.

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