How Many People Can Visit Your House For Christmas? [Update]

How Many People Can Visit Your House For Christmas? [Update]

Christmas is here, team. That’s right, we made it to December 2020. The holiday situation this year is going to look a little different, I’m afraid. There is still a raft of COVID-19 restrictions in place in each state around Australia, and they are all quite different.

Most of Australia’s borders had opened in the lead up to Christmas, meaning it was looking possible for many families to unite across the country this December, but NSW’s latest outbreak has stopped that plan in its tracks.

Updates have recently come in regarding the Northern Beaches, along with Greater Sydney’s Christmas restrictions. So with that in mind, here’s what you need to know about celebrating Christmas in each state.

Christmas Restrictions in New South Wales

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on December 23 that there will be minor changes to current restrictions in place for residents of the Northern Beaches and Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Wollongong and Nepean Blue Mountains.

As The Guardian reports, on December 24, 25, and 26 the following restrictions are in place:

Northern Beaches peninsula zone:

  • Up to 5 visitors, including  children, total per home (as long as they reside in the peninsula zone)
  • People may not leave or enter this zone (save for a handful of specified reasons)
  • Restrictions revert to current rules on December 27

Northern Beaches southern zone:

  • Up to 10 visitors (not including primary-school-aged children and younger) allowed in each household. This may include people who live outside the area, except for those in the Northern Beaches peninsula zone.
  • Residents of this area may not leave this zone (save for a handful of specified reasons)
  • Restrictions will be reassessed on Boxing Day

Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Wollongong and Nepean Blue Mountains:

  • Current restrictions remain in place.
  • Primary-school-aged children and younger no longer count towards the 10 person visitor limit.
  • Restrictions revert to current rules on December 27

As of December 21, the NSW Government has introduced a one person per 4 square metre rule for indoor settings (including hospitality settings and places of worship) for Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong. There is also a 300 person cap on hospitality venues and places of worship; singing and chanting indoors is not permitted and dancefloors are no longer permitted (apart from bridal parties in weddings).

Residents of the Northern Beaches are not permitted to leave their homes except for: shopping for food or other goods and services; medical care or compassionate needs; exercise; work or education, where you cannot work or learn from home. (Refer to above updates for Christmas period.)

Christmas Restrictions in Victoria

Here’s how things stand at the moment:

  • Face masks are no longer mandatory outdoors if you can maintain 1.5m distance. Masks are recommended in public spaces where you cannot maintain this distance (eg. public transport, supermarkets, walkways).
  • Groups of 100 may gather in public outdoor spaces.
  • Up to 30 people from different households can visit a residence at a time. (Babies under 12 months do not count towards this number)

Christmas Restrictions in Queensland

Queensland’s borders are finally open and things have been going pretty well in the Sunshine State. The recent State of Origin game was even allowed to go ahead at full capacity. But are there any restrictions for Chrissy gatherings? Let’s find out:

  • Border – visitors can enter QLD without a border declaration pass.
  • 50 people allowed to gather in homes.
  • 100 people allowed to gather in public spaces.
  • Venues – One person per 2sqm rule applies.

Christmas Restrictions in Tasmania

Tasmania is open for business again, but how many can you have at home for Christmas?

  • Venues – 250 people for an undivided space indoors, 1000 people in an outdoor space.
  • Household gatherings are limited to 100 people at a time, including children. Not incl. household residents.

Christmas Restrictions in the ACT

The Australian Capital Territory has eased most of their restrictions and Christmas is calling. But remember that 1.5m bubble where you can.

  • No limits on visitors in your home.
  • 500 people outdoors (but the 1 person per 2sqm rule applies)

Christmas Restrictions in South Australia

South Australia has had its share of COVID scares recently. Here are the restrictions as they currently stand:

  • 1 person per 2sm at any place.
  • 50 people per private residence.
  • 200 people for a private function.

Christmas Restrictions in Western Australia

The border in Western Australia is still heavily controlled so check what the exemptions are before you plan your travel from interstate. As for gatherings, here’s the situation:

  • 1 person per 2sqm
  • Capacity limits on major venues and stadiums.

Christmas Restrictions in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory seems to have it the best with no limits on household gatherings or hospitality venues. Although the 1.5m rule is still encouraged.


No matter where or how you’re celebrating this Christmas, make sure to practice social distancing and good hygiene so we’re not in this mess again come next Christmas.


The Cheapest NBN 50 Plans

Here are the cheapest plans available for Australia’s most popular NBN speed tier.

At Lifehacker, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. We have affiliate and advertising partnerships, which means we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. BTW – prices are accurate and items in stock at the time of posting.

Comments


Leave a Reply