coronavirus,
New Years celebrations in Canberra will continue, with fireworks displays around Lake Burley Griffin for a socially distanced event, as the territory’s COVID-19 cases increase. Fireworks Australia was contracted by the ACT government to put on the show, at a cost of $ 99,000. Two 15-minute shows, at 9 p.m. then at midnight, will see fireworks launched on the eastern, western and central basins of the lake. “The fireworks barges will be synchronized so that when they are purple they will be purple on all three basins – I think that will be pretty cool,” said fireworks manager Martin Brady. Setup for the event has begun, with crews setting up barges on the lake on Wednesday morning. A dozen technicians will be involved, stationed in cabins around the lake overnight, Brady said. “From the start there was a pretty strong COVID focus across the whole plan, so that hasn’t changed,” he said of the show’s plans. Canberra has remained fireworks-free for the past two years, due to bushfires and then COVID-19 precautions. New Years Eve had previously been held in Civic Square, but was moved to the lake to allow onlookers to spread out more. The event has historically attracted around 30,000 people, according to the government contract, but the ongoing pandemic makes it difficult to estimate the size of the event this year. Authorities’ new focus on personal liability as Canberra continues to report hundreds of daily COVID-19 cases could see some Canberrans choosing to stay overnight. The ACT reported 138 new cases of COVID-19 within 24 hours through 8 p.m. Tuesday, up from a record 252 cases the day before. Others have dispersed, leaving the city to spend time with family and friends after another year of lockdown. Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said on Wednesday that people should always count on preventative measures such as wearing masks during celebrations. “If you go to this New Years event on the lake, it’s spread out, it’s a fantastic environment to be safe from COVID, lots and lots of fresh air is flowing,” she said. “But if you are close to other people in a food queue, or if you are sitting near people you don’t know, please wear your masks in that environment as well.” READ MORE: Andrew Stefanou, co-owner of Cannoli Brothers, one of the sellers, said it was an opportunity for businesses like his to re-launch after two difficult years. “It was good to do a New Years Eve concert for the team and for the company and then we are back at the farmers markets in February and there are lots of other events going on,” he said. declared. Mr Stefanou is convinced that the event will take public health into account, but he would always take precautions. “My team will wear protective gear and practice safe COVID practices… to minimize risk to the team and to the public on my team,” he said. He said he bought rapid antigen tests for all of his staff before New Years Eve for added comfort. Our coverage of the health and safety aspects of this COVID-19 outbreak in the ACT is free to everyone. However, we depend on subscription revenues to support our journalism. If you can, subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. You can also subscribe to our newsletters for regular updates. Our reporters work hard to provide local and up-to-date news to the community. Here’s how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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Fireworks Australia was contracted by the ACT government to put on the show, at a cost of $ 99,000.
Two 15-minute shows, at 9 p.m. then at midnight, will see fireworks launched on the eastern, western and central basins of the lake.
“The fireworks barges will be synchronized so that when they are purple they will be purple on all three basins – I think that will be pretty cool,” said fireworks manager Martin Brady.
Setup for the event has begun, with crews setting up barges on the lake on Wednesday morning.
A dozen technicians will be involved, stationed in cabins around the lake overnight, Brady said.
“From the start there was a pretty strong COVID focus across the whole plan, so that hasn’t changed,” he said of the show’s plans.
Canberra has remained fireworks-free for the past two years, due to bushfires and then COVID-19 precautions.
New Years Eve had previously been held in Civic Square, but was moved to the lake to allow onlookers to spread out more.
The event has historically attracted around 30,000 people, according to the government contract, but the ongoing pandemic makes it difficult to estimate the size of the event this year.
Others have dispersed, leaving the city to spend time with family and friends after another year of lockdown.
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said on Wednesday that people should always count on preventative measures such as wearing masks during celebrations.
“If you go to this New Years event on the lake, it’s spread out, it’s a fantastic environment to be safe from COVID, lots and lots of fresh air is flowing,” she said.
“But if you are close to other people in a food queue, or if you are sitting near people you don’t know, please wear your masks in that environment as well.”
Andrew Stefanou, co-owner of Cannoli Brothers, one of the vendors, said it was an opportunity for businesses like his to re-launch after two difficult years.
“It was good to do a New Years Eve concert for the team and for the company and then we are back at the farmers markets in February and there are lots of other events going on,” he said. declared.
Mr Stefanou is convinced that the event will take public health into account, but he would always take precautions.
“My team will wear protective gear and practice safe COVID practices… to minimize risk to the team and to the public on my team,” he said.
He said he bought rapid antigen tests for all of his staff before New Years Eve for added comfort.
Our coverage of the health and safety aspects of this COVID-19 outbreak in the ACT is free to everyone. However, we depend on subscription revenues to support our journalism. If you can, subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. You can also subscribe to our newsletters for regular updates.
Our reporters work hard to provide local and up-to-date news to the community. Here’s how you can continue to access our trusted content:
