Victoria Government announces reopening plan with crowds to attend Melbourne Cup and concerts at the Sidney Myer Music bowl

Crowds will return to the Melbourne Cup and concerts at the Sidney Myer Music bowl and smaller venues across the state with the Victorian Government announcing a trial of its ‘Vaccinated Economy’ reopening plan.

According to Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews “several thousand” fully vaccinated people will be able to attend a concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on 30th October while 10,000 with double-vaccinations will be to attend the Melbourne Cup on 2nd November as part of the trial.

Subject to consideration of the venue’s COVIDSafe Plan and approval from Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, several thousand people will be able to watch Victorian artists perform and celebrate the return of live music at the Sidney Myer Music bowl. Smaller gigs are also planned around the state at the same time, subject to approval from the Chief Health Officer.

The Vaccinated Economy trials will allow more people to safely attend venues and events when all patrons are fully vaccinated. The venues will test event settings attached to the 80% double-vaccination mark on Victoria’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan - a threshold due to be achieved on or before 5th November.

The final two days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival - Oaks Day and Stakes Day - will also welcome up to 10,000 patrons if the 80% double-jab threshold has been passed. Racing fans will be spread across a number of zones at Flemington in allocated seats, and will be required to wear masks and be fully vaccinated or holding a valid exemption.

Premier Andrews said having crowds at the Melbourne Cup would “send a message” about Victoria’s reopening after the state had endured a tumultuous 20 months of long-running COVID lockdowns, stating “whether you are a racegoer or not, a fan of that sport or not, that’ll be a really important date for every single Victorian and (will) send a message to the rest of the country and the world about the fact that we are open, more open too beyond that but our road map is absolutely our way through this.

“Us as a state and economy and community being open and us having done everything we can now to fight against this virus, having stuck together, having looked out for each other, having got vaccinated, is the most important part. These are just a few announcements today and there will be many more in terms of metropolitan Melbourne trials.”

The announcements were welcomed by business groups, with Paul Guerra, Chief Executive of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stating “this bold move will propel Victoria to reclaim our mantle as the events and sporting capital of Australia.

“Images of crowds enjoying the spring racing carnival will be beamed across the world, sending an important signal that Melbourne is back in business.”

A first stage of trials under the 70% double dose settings start today at regional venues including cinemas, hotels, and cafes, as well as a gym, a church and a beauty clinic.

Some 15 venues and events in six local government areas will operate with higher capacity and density limits, including a midweek race meeting at Warrnambool this Thursday.

The participants in the Vaccinated Economy trial are:

• Bass Coast - North Pier Hotel in Cowes, Churchill Island Cafe

• Buloke - Terminus Hotel in Wycheproof

• East Gippsland - East Gippsland Art Gallery in Bairnsdale, Lakes Squash and Movie Theatre in Lakes Entrance, Wilson Property in Traralgon

• Greater Bendigo - Anglican Church of Australia in Flora Hill, Bendigo Art Gallery, Village Cinemas in Bendigo, Body Fit Training in Bendigo

• Pyrenees - Avoca Hotel

• Warrnambool - Darlings of Beauty, Roberts One Real Estate, Warrnambool Racing Club (race meeting), Warrnambool Art Gallery.

The trials will allow real-world testing of the vaccine certification technology, confirm the best processes for establishing vaccination status, as well as fine-tuning training for staff and support for business owners and public communication of vaccine requirements.

Victorians attending a Vaccinated Economy trial business or event will be asked to show they are fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 digital certificate displayed through the Service Victoria app, Medicare app, or equivalent smartphone wallet, or present a printed version of their certificate or immunisation history statement, or provide evidence of a valid exemption.

Victorians can add their COVID-19 digital certificate to the Service Victoria app through MyGov or the Express Medicare Plus App.

Regionally based trial case managers from the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions will provide direct assistance to each business as they prepare to welcome patrons and customers, and throughout the trials.

Regional trials over the next two weeks will guide the second phase of trials for 80% double-dose settings.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has this morning announced plans to fast-track international travel.

Images: COVIDSafe concert at the Sidney Myer Music bowl (top), Melbourne Cup action (middle) and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (below).