SA Health has approved the 2021 Schoolies Festival COVID Management Plan, allowing the event to go ahead next weekend.

Under the plan, dancing will allowed in pods but facemasks must be worn in all official event areas, including outdoor spaces.

Festival goers will not be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 but a pop-up SA Health vaccination clinic will be operating to encourage school leavers to get the jab.

The event will be split between two fenced zones with one at Warland Reserve and one at the Soldier’s Memorial Gardens to allow for adequate social distancing space.

The total capacity across both sites will be limited to 3 500 at any given time.

Encounter Youth CEO, Nigel Knowles, said he was confident that the organisation’s planning and preparation in conjunction with the state government, council, emergency services and other local groups would support the school leavers to stay safe from COVID-19.

“Encounter Youth has increased the total festival site area by creating two designated festival sites on Warland Reserve and Soldier’s Memorial Gardens, and there will be live electronic monitoring of patron capacity at each site to support social distancing,” Mr Knowles said.

“All festival patrons will be required to QR Check-in to the Festival and the Free Schoolies Festival Bus Service.”

“Patrons will need to wear a facemask while in the Festival sites, despite being outside to help keep themselves and those around them safe.

“Dance pods will be set up to allow students to dance in groups of 25 directly in front of the live music stages,” Mr Knowles said.

“As has been the case for the past 23 years, school leavers’ will be supported by over 300 Encounter Youth Green Team volunteers, who will have all completed COVID Marshal Training.”

“The Class of 2021 has probably had the most difficult final two years of high school for any cohort in recent history, with significant disruption, uncertainty and a changing social landscape.

“We are thrilled to be able to support them to safely enjoy a very well-earned celebration with their friends to mark this milestone.”