Albany Anzac Day crowd limits in question as RSLWA awaits decision on COVID-19 restrictions

Crowd limits at Albany Anzac Day services remain up in the air as RSLWA sub-branches await a decision from the WA Government on whether they will ease COVID restrictions in time for the big day. The number of people allowed at Anzac Day events around WA remains in limbo until Premier Mark McGowan confirms if the State will step down to Level 1 COVID restrictions. When Mr McGowan announced the Level 2 restrictions on February 28, he flagged the rules would be in place for about four weeks and would be reviewed at the end of March. Mr McGowan reiterated this position on Sunday, when he told the Sunday Times he was “extremely keen” to move the State back to Level 1 restrictions before April. “We are very keen to try and end them (Level 2 restrictions) by the end of March and go back to Level 1 (restrictions),” he said. Level 2 COVID restrictions include a 500-person capacity limit at outdoor events and a 50 per cent capacity limit at entertainment venues. Outdoor event rules would be relaxed and entertainment venue capacity limits increased to 75 per cent under Level 1. RSLWA CEO John McCourt on Wednesday announced Perth’s Kings Park dawn service would be scaled down to an invite-only event in line with current Level 2 rules. Mr McCourt said planning for the Anzac Day parade through the CBD was going ahead in the hopes the rules would be downgraded to allow for more than 500 people. Albany RSL services director Michael Tugwell said the sub-branch would hold off on announcing the final details for Albany events until an announcement from the WA Government. Mr Tugwell said a free ticketing service was being assessed to assist with attendance numbers. “Simply put, we are still not fully aware of what restrictions will be in place due to the issues surrounding COVID-19 and possible impacts as we move closer to April 25,” he said. “At this stage, the aim is to have details available as soon as possible in early April.” Mr Tugwell said if Level 2 restrictions remain in place by April 25, it would have the biggest impact on the mid-morning Troop March and Anzac Day service at Anzac Peace Park which usually drew a crowd of thousands. “Final attendance figures for Albany Anzac are still being worked on and can’t be finalised until the Premier makes decisions at the end of March regarding the COVID way ahead,” he said. Mr Tugwell said the “best possible outcome” would be for restrictions to be downgraded to Level 1. He said this could allow the Mt Clarence Dawn Service to cater for about 500 people, up to 8000 would be allowed at the mid-morning Anzac Peace Park service and up to 1500 would be allowed to join the Troop March down York Street. Mr Tugwell said options were being investigated if Level 2 restrictions were to remain thus capping the mid-morning Anzac Peace Park service at 500 people. He said the Albany RSL and City of Albany would continue to work hard to achieve the best possible outcome. “The intent is to achieve the best possible outcome we can under the circumstances we are working under noting that our situation pales into insignificance compared with those dilemmas faced during war by those we pause to remember on Anzac Day,” Mr Tugwell said.