Western Australian Government cuts stadium and outdoor event capacities

Set to open its borders to vaccinated travellers from tomorrow, the Western Australian Government has today announced that a rise in Coronavirus infections will see major stadiums' capacities slashed 50% and public outdoor events capped at 500 attendees from Thursday.

With a line-up of major concerts events scheduled for Perth throughout March and April made possible by the impending opening of the Western Australian border, promoters and acts are now having to reschedule as a result of the crowd restrictions.

Scheduled to play at the Nikola Estate in the Swan Valley on 26th March, Midnight Oil said the sudden changes were “deeply frustrating” and were weighing up whether to reschedule or cancel altogether.

On Facebook, the band wrote "yesterday Western Australia announced that outdoor concerts crowds are capped at only 500 people for at least the next four weeks.

“As such our show at Nikola Estate on March 26, and basically every other big gig in WA this month, will not be able to proceed as planned.

“Obviously this situation is deeply frustrating given that sports stadiums are still being allowed to operate at 50% capacity.

“It is imperative that the WA state government helps local promoters and event workers get back on their feet by staging these shows at a later time.”

Missy Higgins said she was cancelling both of her Western Australian concerts this weekend due to the 500-person rule.

Hospitality venues are also capped at 150 patrons with four square metres social distancing.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan said new 'level two' rules were in response to the surge in Omicron cases, advising "based on the experience over east, this Omicron outbreak is expected to peak before the end of March.

“March will be the most difficult month Western Australia experiences in this whole pandemic and we would be irresponsible if we didn’t have the most appropriate measures in place during the period where they are most required.”

Optus Stadium will also have its capacity slashed to 50% under the new restrictions impacting scheduled AFL fixtures.

Image: Concert crowd at Perth's RAC Arena.