Latest News
With the ever changing and evolving situation on ground due to COVID-19, it can be difficult to keep abreast of all news and guidelines. Here, you can find key updates for the Dance Sector. For current information about COVID-19, restrictions and processes we recommend the following government sources.
Coronavirus Website
– Face Masks, when to wear and exemptions
– Dance studio, class and rehearsal operation (Physical Recreation) Scroll down the page to view the detailed FAQ’s
– Performances or Performance-like events (Arts and Live Performance)
– Vaccination status
– COVID Safe Workplaces
Department of Health Website
– Pandemic Order Register (replacing the Restricted Activity Directions).
Successful Advocacy Outcome : In response to combined lobbying from many peak bodies and industry groups, including Ausdance VIC, details of changes to restrictions/health orders will be published before they come into effect on the Pandemic Order Register.
Dancefloors vs Dance Studios
In the Pandemic Orders Dancefloors and Dance Studios are different activities.
Often the closing of dancefloors in hospitality and entertainment venues (eg pubs, clubs and wedding venues) attracts significant media attention and can cause concern from dance businesses, dancers, students and parents.
For current information about the operation of dance studios, classes, rehearsals and performances use the above Coronavirus website links.
Resources
Ausdance VIC has made the conscious choice to provide all resources freely available, to support our sector at this time.
Covid-19 Resources
Impact Surveys
Dance Studio Owners
Covid-19 Business Impact Survey (Victoria)
Victoria’s dance studio businesses are being heard.
On Tuesday 18 August, representatives from Ausdance VIC met with Victorian State Government officials to present the results of the Victorian Dance Studio Owner COVID-19 Business Impact Survey and to discuss its recommendations. The meeting, which included ministerial advisors to the Hon Martin Foley (Creative Industries) and Hon Jaala Pulford (Small Business), as well as departmental heads and senior policy advisors from Creative Victoria and the Experience Economy Recovery team, was extremely productive, establishing open and constructive lines of communication which are ongoing.
Covid-19 Sector Survey
LATEST TALLY (as of June 10th)
National Loss
$5.7 Million
income loss in total
Victoria Only
$1 Million
income loss in total
546 Workers Impacts
96 Responses so far
Ausdance National COVID-19 Impact Survey for the Dance Sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
Information about the role and function of a COVID Marshal and who must have one can be found here:
We note that COVID Marshals are mandatory for indoor gyms and personal training facilities used by members of the public aged 19 and over.*
As the rules for physical recreation apply to dance schools and studios, dance schools and studios will need a COVID Marshal for activities that involve adults.
*…in Regional Victoria, so we presume this will include Melbourne with the easing of restrictions.
The COVID Marshal must undergo basic infection control awareness training. You can find this training at the Department of Health COVID-19 Infection Control Training page:
It is recommended that COVID Marshals are also trained in first aid (Level 2).
You are correct. You (and now Melbourne studios) can offer indoor classes to adults 19 years and over, providing the following conditions can be met:
- The number of members of the public permitted in each indoor space and in each group, class or session at any time is limited to the lesser of:
- A density quotient of 8m2 per person, as per the rules for working this out
- 10 adults
- The number of members of the public permitted in the facility at any time is limited to the lesser of:
- A density quotient of 8m2 per person, as per the rules for working this out
- 20 adults
- You can ensure members of the public are reasonably able to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from each other; and
- shared equipment is cleaned between each user; and
- there is no physical contact, other than in an emergency, between a member of the public and any other person otherwise permitted to attend the facility; and
- only one class or session commences at a given time and that time is at least 15 minutes after any other class or session has commenced; and
- the facility has a COVID Marshal onsite during the operating hours of the facility; and
- the person complies with the records requirement and the restricted area requirement.
The short answer:
Only 20 per facility. For example, you can have:
- 20 children in one studio, and have none in another, or
- 15 children in one studio and 5 in another
We are seeking more clarity on the definition of “facility”.
You may. The latest RADs state that physical recreational facility is any of the following, whether operated on a for profit or not-for-profit basis:
(a) a facility used predominantly for indoor sport or physical recreation;
Examples: gymnasium, health club, fitness centre, yoga studio, pilates studio, barre studio, dance studio, spin facility, indoor basketball court, indoor climbing facility, squash court, table tennis centre.
(k) a creative arts facility.
A creative arts facility includes:
- an art studio;
- a ceramics studio;
- a music room or studio;
- a rehearsal room or studio.
but does not include:
- a physical recreation facility; or
- a community facility
For further details, please go to the current Restricted Activity Directions, 18 (2) page 32.
Metro Melbourne
We cannot advise on the Restricted Activity Directions for Melbourne until they are provided.
Regional Victoria
In Regional Victoria, the Restricted Activity Directions (No 11), (effective from 27 October – 8 November 2020), state that the number of members of the public per facility is subject to the density quotient of 8m2 per adult, or 4m2 18 years and under, or a maximum of 20, whichever is lesser. This is not inclusive of staff required to teach and manage the premise (i.e. teachers, COVID Marshall).
Reference
- Restricted Activity Directions (for Non-Melbourne) (No 10),
(effective from 27 October – 8 November 2020), page 4
Metro Melbourne
No.
The Restricted Activity Directions (RADs) for Melbourne, in effect from 27 October – 8 November 2020, state that community venues are closed for activities such as indoor dance classes.
Activities in outdoor spaces are allowed, subject to the public gathering limits (10 people) in the Stay Safe Directions (Melbourne) (No 2), plus the person required to conduct the activity.
References
- Restricted Activity Directions for Melbourne
(effective from 27 October – 8 November 2020), page 6 - Stay Safe Directions (Melbourne)
(No 2), page 14
Regional Victoria
No.
The Restricted Activity Directions for Regional Victoria (No 10), (effective from 27 October – 8 November 2020), state that community venues are closed for dance classes except for activities in an outdoor space, subject to the public gathering limits (10 people), plus the person required to conduct the activity.
References
- Restricted Activity Directions for Non-Melbourne (No 10),
(effective from 27 October – 8 November 2020), page 7
Stay Safe Directions (Non-Melbourne)
(No 5), page 9
Yes. Dance classes come under Indoor sport and recreation: Indoor fitness and dance classes.
Yes, but with limitations.
Metro Melbourne
The Restricted Activity Directions for Melbourne (effective from 27 October – 8 November) state that:
Only one person at a time may be exempted from wearing a face covering under the strenuous physical exercise exemption. e.g. the trainer leading the broadcast.
Reference on page 5:
Regional Victoria
The Restricted Activity Directions for Regional Victoria (No 10), (effective from 27 October – 8 November), state that:
All persons at an indoor sport or physical recreational training facility are required to wear a face covering other than when engaged in any strenuous physical exercise or where an exemption applies. All persons should ensure that duration of the ‘strenuous exercise’ exemption is as limited as possible.
Reference on page 4:
There are no specific guidelines for singing. The rules regarding face masks will, however, be applicable, even when singing.
Yes, space quotient permitting. The Restricted Activity Directions for Regional Victoria (No 11), effective from 27 October – 8 November, state that:
- the number of members of the public per facility is subject to the density quotient of 8m2 per adult, or a maximum of 20 max, whichever is lesser. This is not inclusive of staff required to teach and manage the premise (i.e. teachers, COVID Marshall).
- the number of members of the public in each group, class or session at any time is subject to the density quotient of 8m2 per adult or a maximum of 10 max, whichever is lesser. This is not inclusive of staff required to teach and manage the premise (i.e. teachers, COVID Marshall).
- Controls such as the wearing of face masks, limits on shared equipment, time between groups and requirement for a COVID Safe marshal on site, must be maintained.
Reference:
Restricted Activity Directions (for Non-Melbourne) (No 11)
(effective from 27 October – 8 November), page 4