A fully vaccinated crowd of 5500 has been approved to attend Derby Day, the opening day of Flemington’s four-day Melbourne Cup carnival.

Under strict trial conditions, patrons will split across separate zones at Flemington with dedicated course entrances, allocated seats and seated service of food and drink. Masks will also be mandatory.

The announcement comes as Victorians race towards the 80 per cent double-vaccination threshold.

Melbourne Cup Day remains capped at 10,000 on course, as do the Victoria Racing Club’s meetings on Oaks Day and Stakes Day. Victoria’s chief health officer approved the Derby Day crowds on Friday afternoon.

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Victoria’s Racing Minister Martin Pakula said of the decision: “We’re testing the systems and support that will be needed for events as we open up further, and it’s great that we’re able to now bring Derby Day into these larger-scale trials.”

Racegoers will be required to prove their vaccination status either through their COVID-19 digital certificate displayed through the Service Victoria app, Medicare app, or equivalent smartphone wallet, or on presentation of a printed version of their certificate or immunisation history statement.

Next Saturday’s Derby Day will now be the first Victorian event to be conducted as a vaccinated economy trial under 80 per cent double-vaccination settings, with a Sidney Myer Music Bowl concert featuring Vika and Linda Bull and Baker Boy to be the second later that evening.

An audience of 4000 has been approved for that live music event.