Restrictions on dancing at weddings have provided Australians across the country with a bit of light humour amid the global pandemic. Comments from New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian in July establishing her state’s COVID-safe celebration behaviour provided many with some chuckles:
But the positive response to containing the coronavirus across the country has seen restrictions on dancing ease in some states.
This week both Queensland and South Australia decided residents will be allowed to pull out some of the dance moves that have been on hold over the last few months -- but before everyone starts to cut the rug, specific details about dance etiquette have been issued.
Earlier this week, Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced by December 1 there will be unlimited dancing in the state.
But until that dancing free-for-all is allowed, Queenslanders will be limited to 'subtle dance', "standing up and wiggling their hips" from 4 pm today, according to health minister Jeannette Young.
The move has some parents relieved that the news came just in time for their sons' school formals -- it means they won't need to encourage them to "carry" conversations instead.
In South Australia, there's now a maximum of 150 guests at private functions like weddings, and guests will be allowed to try some moves on the dancefloor. Guests will also be allowed "vertical consumption" -- or in layman's terms, drinking while standing up.
"For licensed premises, we will now allow vertical consumption outdoors...previously we've only allowed for seated consumption," Premier Steven Marshall said on October 1.
Some are adding the term “vertical consumption” to their COVID-19 dictionaries, while others are looking forward to combining the now-allowed behaviours.
And NSW premier Glayds Berejiklian's previous message of 'no dancing, no mingling and no singing' were lifted on September 24. Over the last seven days, NSW has had no recorded community transmission.
So dancing is back on the agenda, but tread with caution.
"It is still a high-risk environment and we ask both the patrons and also the function organiser to make sure the bridal party up to 20 is clearly identified ... it has to be the same up to 20 group that is on the dance floor," Berejiklian said on September 24.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits.
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