COVIDSafe Festival

We are delighted to welcome audiences back to venues across the country for Melbourne International Comedy Festival presented shows. The safety and wellbeing of all artists, audiences and staff is our number one priority so we ask that all visitors to Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows follow the COVIDSafe practices described on this page.

The Festival is following government regulations and this page will be updated from time to time.

All audiences at Melbourne International Comedy Festival events will be required to adhere to the COVIDSafe requirements in place including QR code check-in, vaccination status proof, maintaining physical distancing and wearing a face mask.

Stay at home if you are unwell

The big one! You must not attend a performance if you are:

• feeling unwell
• showing symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)
• awaiting a coronavirus (COVID-19) test result
• have otherwise been directed to self-isolate or quarantine

Click here to view the Festival’s Ticketing Terms & Conditions. Please note that Terms & Conditions may vary depending on the ticketing provider so it is important to check the relevant T&C’s when purchasing your tickets.

If you begin to feel unwell while at an event, please contact a venue staff member immediately.

How to be COVIDSafe

Every venue presenting a Melbourne International Comedy Festival show will have a COVIDSafe Plan with specific COVIDSafe practices and conditions you need to be aware of. Venue specific information can be found on the Venue’s website.

In accordance with government regulations, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or valid medical exemption will be required for anyone aged 16 and over as a condition of entry. Upon request, all ticket holders will be required to present their Australian Government issued COVID-19 digital certificate or authorised paper certificate to security or venue staff prior to entrance to the venue. If you cannot provide the required proof on arrival you will be unable to enter the venue or attend a performance.

There are four types of evidence that will be accepted:

• Vaccination certificate integrated into the Services Victoria check-in app
• Vaccination certificate in your smartphone wallet
• Digital or printed vaccination certificate issued by the Australian Government along with photo ID
• Digital or printed exemption certificate along with photo ID*

*Please note the government has updated its directive regarding proof of exemption requirements. If you have an exemption please ensure you have the correct form of proof.

For information about how to get your vaccination or exemption certificate please visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/get-your-covid-19-vaccine-certificate.

General COVIDSafe practices that you should follow at any venue include:

• Maintain physical distancing of 1.5m from other attendees in queues, foyers and bars
• Carry a face mask with you at all times and wear as instructed by venue staff
• Make frequent use of the hand sanitiser and washing facilities at the venue
• Listen to and comply with instructions given by venue staff
• Stay up to date with the latest information from relevant government bodies:
  • Victoria: coronavirus.vic.gov.au
  • NSW: nsw.gov.au/covid-19
  • Queensland: qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19
  • SA: covid-19.sa.gov.au
  • WA: wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus
  • Tasmania: coronavirus.tas.gov.au
  • NT: coronavirus.nt.gov.au
  • ACT: covid19.act.gov.au

Melbourne International Comedy Festival COVIDSafe Specific Information

The health of our audience, artists and staff is of the highest importance. Some of the protective measures to expect when you attend a Festival performance include:

• Paperless ticketing and cashless box offices
• More time between shows so audiences coming out do not mix with audiences waiting to go in
• Greatly reduced crowding in foyers and hallways
• Regular cleaning and sanitising of our venues and public areas
• Availability of hand sanitiser at all venues
• Signage in venues to help maintain physical distancing, one-way only entry and exits wherever possible
• Seating in venues that complies with current state government requirements
• Increased website features and digital versions of our venue map, program and all key Festival info at comedyfestival.com.au
• Collection of patron information at entry of all Comedy Festival venues to facilitate rapid contact tracing. Information will be collected according to state government requirements including the storage of patron names and email addresses.

COVIDSafe Plans

Below you can find a link to the Festival's 2021 COVIDSafe Plan. Every venue participating in the Festival will also have a specific COVIDSafe Plan too, you can find this information on the event's show page under the COVID-19 venue safety information tab. This information will be updated regularly to ensure currency. Please read and make sure you are aware of the COVID-specific conditions of entry required by each venue for audiences attending Festival performances.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s full 2021 COVIDSafe Plan is available to read HERE.