So it is no wonder event organisers are both frustrated and disappointed that they are still being left up in the air when it comes to planning around COVID restrictions.

Festivale - the North's iconic food and wine festival - is facing uncertainty.

The festival was forced to change its setting last year due to the pandemic, and now, organisers are looking at capped numbers that they say will make the event not financially viable.

The state's Public Health event framework classifies Festivale as a level three outdoor event, or "free moving and mixing" event, which is capped at 5000 patrons.

Before COVID, Festivale would attract upwards of 10,000 people per day.

Since the implementation of crowd limits, comparisons have been made between the number of patrons allowed at an event such as Festivale, and those allowed at AFL finals - with 10,000 at recent matches at UTAS Stadium. But one key difference between the two events is the ability to restrict movement. At a football match, the event is seated, and security can control crowds.

Movement is limited to bathroom trips, and walks to the bar or food outlets, which have social distancing measures in place. But on the other hand, Festivale is an outdoor event, with plenty of space to social distance.

While large "free moving" events have been starting points for COVID outbreaks in mainland states before, Tasmania has had more than a year from cases of COVID in the community, and time to develop strong COVID-safe plans for events.

The plan, based on Premier Peter Gutwein's recent comments, is to open up the state by Christmas. Festivale would come shortly after this, and it could be seen as reckless to risk a large event so soon after reopening.

However, if we are to move forward, there will need to be strict measures in place to prepare for when COVID inevitably arrives. So why can't there be measures in place to allow for an event of 10,000 people?