The health ministry on Wednesday announced the “protocols on dancing” which set the specifications for nightclubs, entertainment centres and other related venues.
In effect from 10am on Thursday, the start of the carnival season, the protocols state that the maximum number of people will be 500 provided that there is 1.5 square metres per person.
The rules are in force for four different types of areas, according to their space and whether there are areas for dancing.
Since its initial announcement, the health ministry has since issued three further updates and tweaks which even saw the addition of a fourth category (there were initially three).
The first is for venues with over 225 square metres of serviceable space (kitchens, toilets and storage units are excluded) and serve over 150 people along with space for dancing.
Entrance is permitted under the following conditions: those aged 12 and above must have a negative rapid test taken within the past 15 hours – regardless of vaccination or recovery status – while those aged 6-11 must have a negative rapid test valid within the past seven days, recovery and vaccination status for this group also not taken into account.
The health ministry said the owner/manager of such centres are “obligated” to inform the ministry in writing and send an official statement to [email protected].
The second category is exactly the same as above, but with no reference to a dancing area in the ministry statement.
The third is for areas where, regardless of its capacity, there is no space for dancing. At these venues, the unvaccinated are granted entry provided they have a negative 24-hour test, the over 12s are recovered or vaccinated and children 6-11 are either recovered or vaccinated or have a seven-day valid rapid test.
Dancing is only allowed at or around the tables.
The final list is for areas where under 150 people are being served.
At these venues, the unvaccinated are granted entry provided they have a negative 24-hour test, the over 12s are recovered or vaccinated and children 6-11 are either recovered or vaccinated or have a seven-day valid rapid test.
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