NSW Government announces ‘major easing’ of Coronavirus restrictions

With the state having reached a 25th day without any local Coronavirus cases, the NSW Government has announced a range of easing measures that will impact fitness clubs, entertainment and sporting venues and public gatherings.

Effective from Monday (7th December), the 4 metre² rule will be reduced to 2 metre² rule, with the exception of gyms and nightclubs while outdoor stadiums in NSW will be allowed to hold 100% capacity, with indoor stadiums will be able to hold 75% capacity.

Nonetheless, fitness facilities will be allowed to have up to 50 per class while adhering to the one person per 4 metre² rule.

Caps on the number of people allowed at hospitality venues will be lifted, with no limit to the number of people allowed at weddings or funerals.

With NRL and AFL crowds capped during their seasons, including only 50% capacity allowed at ANZ Stadium for the NRL grand final, upcoming cricket and A-League matches will be able to welcome fans with no crowd limits.

The first event set to benefit will Tuesday's T20 cricket clash between Australia and India - the first major sporting event in NSW to be allowed to have 100% capacity since the pandemic began.

Nightclubs still 'high risk'
Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen on Monday, but people must still drink sitting down and cannot take alcohol onto the dancefloor, with NSW Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kerry Chant advising “nightclubs will be able to open, but what you might characterise as a normal nightclub experience might be a little bit more COVIDSafe," she said.

"Obviously nightclubs have been identified internationally as very high-risk venues and that's because night clubs have a high turnover of people … and obviously with very close proximity."

Dr Chant said the restrictions are in place to limit the likelihood of "explosive events" where people, particularly in younger age groups, may go out with very mild symptoms and spread the virus.

Full list of eased restrictions
Venues (including hospitality venues, retail and places of worship)
One person per 2 metre²
Stadiums and theatres
Outdoors: 100% seated capacity, and 1 person per 2sqm rule for outdoor seating areas
Indoors: 75% seated capacity

Gatherings in outdoor public spaces
Up to 100 people for outdoor gatherings (increased from 50)
Up to 5000 people for outdoor events that are fenced, ticketed and seated (subject to the 2sqm rule)
Up to 3000 people for other organised outdoor events (subject to the 2sqm rule)

Dance floors
Up to 50 people indoors

Performances
Up to 50 performers indoors, no maximum cap outdoors
Congregation and audience advised to continue wearing masks if singing

Maximum capacity caps removed (subject to the 2 metre² rule) for:

Bookings at hospitality venues
Weddings
Funerals
Regional agricultural shows
Corporate events
Religious events

Dr Chant went on to say that despite NSW going 25 days without new cases of COVID-19, the community needs to be safe, adding “it is critical that people continue to come forward for testing and practice COVID-safe behaviour when out and about and catching up with friends and family.”

Images: Crowds will be welcome at the SCG from Monday.