Roadmap Guidance for NSW Community Bands
Update: 18 October 2021
The BANSW issues the following statement after discussion with our colleagues at NSW Health and Create NSW.
As vaccination rates in NSW head towards the 70% and 80% milestones, we will see a raft of easing of restrictions across the State.
Following our collaborative work with the COVID-19 Response Team at the NSW Health Ministers office, we are reassured that NSW Health and the NSW State Government fully appreciate Community Bands’ role in our local communities. Particularly in the areas of mental health support and well-being and the challenges that community bands face in the current environment.
We may all think that this time is different, but as we open up, it is more important than ever that we recognise the risks within the community that living with COVID-19 brings.
Per the NSW Roadmap and in conjunction with NSW Health, we provide the following guidance to Community Bands across NSW as we come out from the COVID-19 pandemic.
At All Times:
- Please abide by all current Public Health Orders applicable to your LGA.
- Anyone who experiences any COVID-19 type symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fever, or runny nose) or has been in contact with anyone known to have COVID-19 should not participate in any rehearsal or performance. They should immediately get tested for COVID-19 and remain isolated per the current health orders.
- ALL Bands should review their COVID Safe plans to ensure these are robust to keep our members safe as we learn to live with COVID-19 in our communities. See https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/covid-safe-businesses
Further, it is recommended that Bands:
- Ensure that, where possible, all Band members/performers avoid pointing the airflow from their instruments towards others.
- At performances, where possible, performers maintain a distance of 3 meters between the Band and the audience.
- The resumption of Community Junior Bands may occur if all attending are fully vaccinated. The return of those unvaccinated or under 12 years of age should wait until the 1 December unless the Health Orders and advice change.
At each stage of the Road Map, several changes apply across NSW and may impact every Community Band.
The following timeline sets out the easing of restrictions for Community Bands per the current NSW Road Map.
From 11 October 2021:
- Only fully vaccinated people will be allowed to attend rehearsals and performances.
- Community Bands who rehearse outside of a venue classed as a Community Centre or recreation facility may resume rehearsals indoors with no maximum number apart from the 4 sqm per person maximum venue density limit.
- Outdoor rehearsals for bands can restart with a maximum of 50 people seated in a Band setting with the 2 square meter rule applied. Masks are not required in an outdoor setting.
- Masks must be worn indoors except when playing an instrument.
- Outdoor performances with a seated and ticketed audience are limited to a maximum of 500 people or the maximum capacity allowed under the 2sqm density limit.
- COVID Safe plans must be in place for all organisations, rehearsal venues and events, as well as QR check-in.
The complete Road Map, including density and capacity limits for the 70% Vaccination mark, is at https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/easing-covid-19-restrictions/70-percent
At 80% Fully Vaccinated:
- Only fully vaccinated people will be allowed to attend rehearsals and performances.
- The maximum number of people allowed at indoor and outdoor rehearsals is equal to the venue density limit.
- A maximum of 200 people can attend un-ticketed performances, and up to 3000 people can attend controlled ticketed events.
- At all rehearsals and performances, density limits apply: indoors – the 4sqm per person, Outdoors – the 2sqm per person.
- Masks must be worn indoors unless playing an instrument, but masks are not required in an outdoor setting.
- COVID Safe plans must be in place for all organisations, rehearsal venues and events, as well as QR check-in.
The complete Roadmap, including density and capacity limits for the 80% Vaccination mark, is at https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/easing-covid-19-restrictions/80-percent
From 1 December 2021:
- Masks will no longer be required indoors or outdoors for rehearsals and performances.
- All members may return to rehearsals and performances regardless of vaccination status.
- A density limit of 2sqm to apply to all indoor rehearsal spaces with no maximum numbers up to the venue capacity limit.
- Un-ticketed Outdoor performances can be with no audience limits. However, for events where an Audience is above 1000, a COVID Safe plan must be in place.
- Indoor concerts may take place with 100% audience capacity or the maximum venue density limit.
The complete Road Map for the 1 December 2021 date is at https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/easing-covid-19-restrictions/opening-in-dec
Please note that the 1 December easing date may change depending on the 70% and 80% relaxations outcomes. Further, keep up to date for any changes announced by visiting the pages listed above.
We sincerely thank the staff at NSW Health for their ongoing support and our colleagues at Create NSW for their hard work supporting our movement. It’s comforting to know that our State Government does have our backs through these difficult times.
BANSW Management Committee 18/Oct/2021
Roadmap Guidance for NSW Community Bands PDF