Anzac Day services allowed with crowds across Australia

Anzac Day events have been given the green light by several state governments to go ahead with crowds and COVID-safe planning.

Overseas services have been cancelled due to the pandemic.

These include the Anzac Day dawn service held in Gallipoli as well as Australian-run services held in France.

The announcement was made by Veterans' Affairs Minister Darren Chester.

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The Dawn Service in Gallipoli in 2019.

"The decision was made in the national interest for the protection of all Australians, at home and abroad, and on the advice of Australian health authorities, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and in consultation with host nations," Mr Chester said in a statement.

"Along with our own travel ban, we have taken into consideration a number of factors, primarily concerns about the welfare of Australians and other visitors travelling to Anzac Day services as well as views of host nations regarding visitors and large gatherings as well as the impact on health systems of overseas nations."

"A COVID-safe national service will be held at the Australian War Memorial and broadcast nationally, with all Australians encouraged to tune in and watch on the day."

Anzac Day in Queensland

Anzac Day commemorations will take place as normal in Queensland, with marches and dawn services to be held as they would any other year, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced.

"In times of strife, Queenslanders do what it takes to protect each other. We've done it in wartime, and we're doing it now through the global pandemic," Ms Palaszczuk wrote in a post on Twitter this morning.

"Because we've worked together to keep safe, this year we can safely gather to mark the sacrifices of those who have served."

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1363944012005011457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Speaking to reporters later, the premier urged Queenslanders to turn out in big numbers for Anzac Day services.

"As a sign of respect let's turn out in full force in appreciation of the people who served our country," she said.

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There will be no restriction on numbers at outdoor Queensland Anzac events, with a march to be held in Brisbane's CBD.

There will also be no requirement for people to wear masks, Queensland's Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young confirmed.

Queensland RSL president Tony Ferris said he was delighted by the news.

Last year, people paid their respects in their driveways after Anzac Day services were cancelled.

"The fact that we now have Anzac Day back is hair on the back of the neck stuff," he said.

"It's a great day for Queensland, it's absolutely fantastic."

Last year, Anzac Day was marked by Australians standing in their driveways and lighting a candle at dawn as marches were cancelled amid stringent COVID-19 restrictions.

It is not yet known what type of Anzac Day services will take place in other states.

Victoria allows ANZAC services with capped crowds

In Victoria, Melbourne's iconic Anzac Day march will be allowed to go ahead with 5500 people allowed to attend after being cancelled last month.

The RSL applied for that number to be granted permission to march on April 25, which was eventually approved by the government.

The traditional Dawn Service and Commemorative Services will also be held with smaller numbers, and live streamed on Facebook.

Hundreds of local services at RSLs across the state have also been given the green light to welcome crowds, with the government encouraging people to stay local.

Last year Victorians were forced to commemorate ANZAC Day from their homes and driveways as part of the #lightupthedawn social media campaign, which is again encouraged this year.

Minister for Veterans Shaun Leane said it was a great thing ANZAC services could go ahead but urged caution.

"We've worked closely with RSL Victoria to ensure the march and dawn service could go ahead this year – but there are many ways to honour the hard work and sacrifice of our returned service men and women closer to home," Mr Leane said.

"With hundreds of local services across Melbourne and Regional Victoria, I encourage people to stay local this ANZAC Day."

ACT ANZAC Day Dawn Service to be a ticketed event

The Australian Capital Territory will still hold its ANZAC Day Dawn Service but it will be a ticketed event with a cap of 4200 people.

3000 people will be allowed to attend the National Ceremony which traditionally includes the veterans' march.

Priority will be given to veterans for ticket allocation, with free tickets becoming available from Monday March 22.

The government says COVID-safe measures will be in place across the commemorative services, including QR codes and fencing to filter through attendees.

The War Memorial announced the approval from the ACT government to go ahead with the events last week.

Once all tickets have been allocated, people will be encouraged to commemorate at home.



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