The safety and well-being of all our cast, crew, audience and support people is of the utmost importance to Essendon Theatre Company. We have a legal and moral obligation to keep everyone safe and have developed this COVID Safe Plan based on the Victorian Government Requirements. As requirements change, so too will ETCs COVID Safe Plan to ensure we are meeting necessary requirements.
Capacity Limits and Seating
As ETC utilises a Theatre Restaurant Style Seating arrangement, as much as possible, we ask that audience members book their tickets with others in their group that they know or feel COVIDSafe with.
In the event that tables may be required to be shared by patrons unknown to each other, seating on this table will be limited and spacing of at least 1.5 metres will be ensured between patrons.
We request that audience members do not move or change the configuration of the seating arrangements to keep in line with COVIDSafe practices. Furthermore, we request that audience members try to stay within their allocated seat and table as much as practical and minimise movement.
Tables will be spaced with a social distance of 1.5 metres between each table.
Victorian Drama League (VDL) reviewers and adjudicators will be seated on their own table where possible or on a table with limited capacity.
Masks
It is highly recommended to wear a mask indoors, however, this is no longer mandatory to do so.
Ticketing and attending the Venue
We encourage all our audience members to pre-book their tickets through our Online Ticketing platform TryBooking. Audience members are encouraged to book their tickets in groups with people you know and feel comfortable sitting with.
Please ensure when booking your tickets you provide the name and contact number of each member of your party. At this time we request that audience members avoid walk-ins, wherever possible, to minimise purchasing tickets at the door.
Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the show commencing. Please arrive to the venue with plenty of time to park your car and attend to check in procedures before the commencement of the performance.
We encourage each of our audience members to complete a self-assessment check before attending the theatre. We request that, you or any member of your party, do not attend the theatre if:
• You are or have been in contact with confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19;
• You have been instructed to isolate or quarantine;
• You are feeling unwell with any symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, cough or sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell or taste, headache, muscle pain, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
If you or one of your party meet any of the above criteria, please do not attend the performance and stay home and get tested if needed.
ETC has a flexible ticketing system and is happy to refund or re-allocate your ticket to another suitable performance date once you are feeling better.
If you attend the performance and are not feeling well, arrangements will be made to send you home in a safe and suitable way which may include transportation in an ambulance.
In the event that a show or performance must be cancelled, all ticket holders will be communicated with to inform of this.
Food and Beverage
Audience members are encouraged to bring their own food and drink as well as cutlery and crockery to the performances. ETC will be unable to provide any cutlery or crockery to use at this time.
At this stage, the kiosk will be opened for tea and coffee only.
Hygiene and Cleaning
Hand sanitiser will be available at several points at the theatre. We encourage all visitors to engage in regular hand washing and use of the sanitiser provided.
We encourage you to observe cough etiquette and personal hygiene measures at all times while at the theatre.
ETC will undertake pre- and post-event cleaning of communal facilities and high touch surfaces. Furthermore, Moonee Valley City Council, who manage the facility where ETC resides, will also be undertaking and ensuring facilities are cleaned regularly.
Vaccinations
In line with Victorian Government Health Regulations, there is no vaccination requirement to attend or participate in any of the aspects of ETCs activities, including attendance as an audience member. You are no longer required to demonstrate evidence of full vaccination status or medical exemption.