Office Christmas parties are about to be in full swing across Australia with the holidays just around the corner.
But the annual workplace celebrations will be very different for many Australians this year as coronavirus restrictions put a dampener on festivities.
What you can and can’t do at an office Christmas party this year is becoming increasingly confusing as each state has different rules.
Here is your guide to whether your party will be almost as it was last year, or more like an awkward Christmas dinner with the in-laws.
The annual workplace celebrations will be very different for many Australians this year as coronavirus restrictions put a dampener on festivities
Standing outdoors will be allowed at hospitality venues, but not indoors, while 50 people will be permitted on indoor dance floors in NSW
New South Wales
Pubs and restaurants across the state are taking bookings of groups of up to 30 people, so your party will have to be split up this year.
The total capacity in venues is limited by a the two square metre rule, so hopefully you have your own function room.
Everyone in the venue must be seated unless they are outside, and 50 people will be allowed on indoor dance floors.
QR code check-ins will be mandatory for hospitality businesses in NSW by Christmas, but the vast majority are already using them.
Men and women were keen to take in the festive season and enjoy celebratory drinks with their work mates
Families wanting to dine out Christmas Day can do so, with restaurants and pubs across the state taking bookings of groups of up to 30 people
Victoria
Small hospitality venues will be able to host one person for every two square metres, with up to 50 customers and the cap on larger venues is now at 150 patrons.
There are no limits on the size of group you can book, so the entire company will be able to join in as long as the venue is big enough.
If you are dining in or having seated service or remaining more than 15 minutes, then businesses must record your details for contact tracing.
Indoor and outdoor venues are subject to the one person per two square metre rule. Venues can have up to 25 patrons before the density limit applies.
Patrons can sit or stand to eat and drink and nightclubs can open for seated and non-seated service of food or beverages.
Venues must apply a four square metre rule to the dance floor, with a maximum of 50 people dancing at one time per dance area – such as in a nightclub with multiple dance floors.
For office Christmas parties, small hospitality venues will be able to host one person for every two square metres, with up to 50 customers
Queensland
Christmas celebrations in the Sunshine State will resemble pre-Covid days moreso than NSW and Victoria.
Restaurants, cafes, pubs, registered clubs, RSL clubs and hotels with a Covid-safe checklist can seat as many patrons as they want as long as the two square metre limit is observed.
Indoor and outdoor dancing is permitted in all venues including pubs, clubs and nightclubs, with no more than one person per two square metres.
Up to 100 people can gather in a public space at once, but children and babies are included in limits on numbers in Queensland.
Queensland venues are required to keep customer contact details for a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 56 days.
Revellers in Santa hats were spotted celebrating in venues throughout the city from The Rocks to Barangaroo last year – and will be again this weekend
The ENTIRE ‘cast’ of Toy Story were out celebrating on Sydney’s streets, including Ham, Mr and Mrs Potato Head, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Bo Peep and Woody
South Australia
Following a short lockdown amid fears of a second wave, South Australians have returned to a relatively normal day-to-day life.
A maximum of 200 patrons can enjoy Christmas festivities at a private venue, provided the same square-metre rule is followed.
Pubs, clubs and restaurants are capped at 100 people per venue, with no standing consumption of food or drinks, whether the customer is indoors or outdoors.
However, there is a maximum booking size of 10 people per group, which kills large office parties and limits celebrations to intimate team affairs.
Pubs, clubs and restaurants in SA are capped at 100 people per venue, with no standing consumption of food or drinks, whether the customer is indoors or outdoors
Venues can hold up to 250 patrons in undivided indoor spaces, and 1,000 in an undivided outdoor space in Tasmania
Western Australia
There is no limit to the number of guests Western Australians are allowed as long as there is no more than one person per two square metres.
For example, a venue can only hold a maximum of 100 people if it spans 200 square metres.
Western Australia also has no limits on the number of patrons allowed at public gatherings as long as there is at least two square metres of space a person.
Dance floors and standing up to drink is unlimited and many venues look exactly the same as they did before the pandemic.
Tasmania
Venues can hold up to 250 patrons in undivided indoor spaces, and 1,000 in an undivided outdoor space.
Customers can move around freely and dance inside the venue, but must stay seated if they’re indoors and drinking alcohol.
Patrons at restaurants, pubs and other venues can eat and drink while standing in outdoor areas of establishments in the ACT
ACT
Revellers can gather in groups of 500 as long as it doesn’t exceed the one person per two square metre rule outside, or one person per four square metres inside.
Patrons at restaurants, pubs and other venues can eat and drink while standing in outdoor areas of establishments, but must be seated indoors.
Northern Territory
There are no limits on household gatherings or how many patrons attend a venue in the Top End.
However, restaurants and pubs will be required to collect contact details from patrons for contact tracing.
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