In good news for those missing the dancefloor, ACT nightclubs will be allowed to reopen from midday on Friday 11 December with dancing to resume across the capital.  

Dancing indoors for licensed venues will be allowed, in line with the operating conditions and restrictions for licensed venues, as part of stage four of the ACT Government’s recovery plan.

Venues can have one person per two square metres on their dedicated dancefloors, up to a maximum of 25 people, if they are using the Check In CBR app.

The rule that requires people to be seated while drinking indoors will remain in place.

“ACT venues tend to have smaller dance spaces, which is why the overall number of people permitted in a dance space is 25 people, but a greater density of patrons in these spaces is allowed,” Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Vanessa Johnston said.

“Dancing carries a high risk of transmission of COVID-19 as it is difficult for people who are dancing to maintain physical distancing,” she said.

“Additionally, dance areas tend to be small and they encourage crowding. This is why we are capping numbers in each dance space at a maximum of 25 people, subject to the 1 person per 2 square metre rule if using the Check In CBR app.

“While these rules may be a little different than in other jurisdictions, these restrictions can best support ACT licensed venues while maintaining appropriate public health measures,” Dr Johnston said.

The capacity rules for ACT nightclubs are the same as for other licensed premises.

The ACT once again recorded no new COVID-19 cases today, Wednesday 9 December. More than 120,000 negative tests have been recorded.