The NSW Government has announced that venues can reopen on Monday 11th October at one person per 4 sqm and that limit will be increased to 2 sqm on 1st December.

ASE approached a venue owner and a venue user for their feedback on this announcement.

First Hilton Cohn, CEO of The Venue Alexandria

ASE: How practical is it for you to open at 4 sqm

The Venue Alexandria is able to accommodate up to 750 pax based on the 4 sqm rule and at full capacity of 1,000 pax at 2 sqm. We have just gained approval to increase our capacity to 1,400 [as pending minor works are completed before February  2022 which will make our space the largest privately owned venue in Sydney

Next on vaccination – What has been your experience in getting all your staff vaccinated?

All our staff are fully vaccinated and we remain committed to ensuring safe enjoyable high quality events for our clients and their guests.

What has been the client reaction to the ruling?

I do not think that there has been enough time for anyone to consider this as the race has really been all about getting the percentage higher for vaccinated persons in our state.

Do you have a system to check proof of vax and do you anticipate that you will require extra staff to manage the process?

Absolutely we will have the additional process ready to ensure that all persons entering our unique spaces are doing so in accordance with whatever is required as stipulated by the Health Orders at the applicable time.

Since the start of the pandemic we have had a COVID team leader present at every event with additional persons when required based on the number of guests to manage guest and staff safety at all times.

Do you expect government guidelines to be made available before 11th October for dealing with unvaccinated guests turning up at an event?

I would hope so and believe this will be the case.

And finally

We are hopeful that the health orders will be clear as to what is or isn’t allowed for us all as we reopen for business.

Giovannino Navarra of Navarra Venues told us “Of course we are elated upon hearing the news. As a multi-billion dollar industry we have been patiently sitting on the sidelines wanting to desperately open our businesses to celebrations for over 18 months now and confidence has been restored in our industry. Brides can finally start to plan and book their weddings for next year but this year still remains divided.”

CEO Sal Navarra added “I have personally been vaccinated however I have friends who are not vaccinated but this does not mean I am not going to be friends with them. It has been their choice but this choice will lead to brides having to cancel their wedding date or simply ask their guests or family members to get vaccinated just so they can attend. The rules are clear from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.”

“We are also gearing up for the venue check-in from guests as they access the passport through the Service NSW app. Guests need to do the right thing because our staff do not want to be in a position where we have to turn a guest away. Delays with check-ins will be inevitable if this is not up and running and we will have to make that allowance at our venues,” he said

Half-hearted cheer for weddings

Next to regular contributor Gary Fitz-Roy, MD of Expertise Events who have their first expo coming up in December at Sydney Showground.

How practical is it for you to open at 4 sqm and what sort of events do you expect to book at that limit?

Given the majority of shows have already been cancelled it’s a bit of a moot point, however the one to 4 sqm limit we had earlier in the year and was very doable with the co-operation of venues. We still have a small trade show on the go at ICC and we can make it work, I think what’s key is sending the message we are adaptable and willing to do what we have to do to reconnect our communities.

What has been your experience in getting all your staff vaccinated?

Generally most understand it and accept that it’s the right thing to do for family, friends and work colleagues safety and well-being. With the recent announcements around having to be double vaccinated to be at events most who love their job get it’s the sacrifice/compromise they need to make.

What has been the client reaction to the ruling?

Again I think there has been so much coverage with deaths and how quick and deadly it is like staff they get it!

And “vax passports” – the integration of proof of vax with the QR check-in system will not be ready by 11th October.

When we opened earlier we scanned and had sound tracking systems in place. I wouldn’t be surprised if the government pulls out all stops to have something in place.

Do you have a system to check proof of vax and do you anticipate that you will require extra staff to manage the process?

My understanding of the orders and process the checking of vax and checking in will occur on the entry door to the venue, so in the case of ICC this is part of their process and part of the condition they’re open. This also makes sense as we want the exhibitor and visitor experience to be seamless and enjoyable when at the show entry. Depending on the venue this may change but also after today’s announcement, after December it may not matter.

Do you expect government guidelines to be made available before 11th October for dealing with unvaccinated guests turning up at an event?

I would hope so, I think in some respects Government departments and staff are playing catch-up after announcements are made so I feel for them. That said I reached out today to a contact within Health who was our liaison last year to get events going again and he responded within hours with a lot of info. I think we are all chomping at the bit to get going, as always, the devil is in the detail but we need to be patient and allow them time to now get it down and out.

Any other comments you would like to add on the reopening guidelines.

I hope the Premier hasn’t shot herself and us in the foot via today’s announcement that at December 1, when we are basically at 90%, non-vaccinated people have the same conditions as vaccinated. This devalues the commitment of people already getting vaccinated.

On the whole I think it’s a great feeling to know we will be going again, if not this year then bring on 2022.