Stricter COVID-19 Restrictions Implemented In Melbourne, Adelaide

Clubs and pubs were among those hit as Melbourne went into severe Stage 4 restrictions due to a second wave of the COVID-19 virus and Adelaide introduced stricter social distancing in venues to prevent going into one.

Melbourne’s nightlife collapsed overnight after the Aug. 2 introduction of an 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew until mid-September. When restrictions were first introduced March venue operators told Pollstar they could last until early September before having to sell their homes.

The city had flattened the virus curve by May, but gross breaches by a minority of businesses inflamed the spread.  By June two major venues, The Tote and Bar Open declared, “Our bank accounts have dried up” and launched GoFundMe campaigns.  

Those two, along with other high profile clubs as Howler, The Curtin, The B.East and The Espy have turned to offering takeaway food and drinks and DIY meal and cocktails kits. This trade is also expected to be affected by new constraints.

Social distancing breaches by Brisbane nightclubs on dancefloors and in outside queues by Sydney pubs are unlikely to make Victoria’s government reopen Melbourne venues in a hurry.

South Australia’s new restrictions for Adelaide venues, announced Aug. 3, state only seated patrons could be serve. Premier Steve Marshall planned to look at their “density arrangements” as well “as we are absolutely focused, 100 percent, on keeping ahead of the game.”

Last month Adelaide City Council announced a 12-month The Live Music Incentive Backline Scheme, where live music venues up to a 600-capacity would get a matched contribution of up to A$3,000 ($2,135) for backline equipment for musicians to use at their premises.