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Restrictions are relaxed for millions of Greater Sydney residents on Friday with the four square metre rule scrapped and weddings capped at 300 people – but masks are here to stay
- Gladys Berejiklian announces an easing of Covid restrictions in Greater Sydney
- The 4sqm capacity rule for venues will be slashed in half to 2sqm from Friday
- Masks only mandatory on public transport; weddings, funerals capped at 300
- Follows on from NSW recording 24 days without a locally acquired Covid case
Covid restrictions for millions of Greater Sydney residents will be relaxed from Friday as NSW recorded 24 straight days of zero locally acquired cases.
The four square metre rule at all venues except gyms will be slashed in half allowing businesses to effectively double capacity.
Weddings and funerals will continue to be capped at 300 and masks will only be mandatory on public transport, freeing hospitality workers and people attending places of worship from wearing face coverings.
The relaxed restrictions will come into effect from 12:01am on Friday, reintroducing the two square metre rule for venues across the Greater Sydney region, which includes Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) has announced a further easing of Covid restrictions for Greater Sydney, effective 12:01am on Friday
All venues except gyms will move from the 4sqm capacity rule to the 2sqm capacity rule allowing them to effectively double capacity
Greater Sydney has been subjected to tightened restrictions from December following the Avalon Covid cluster, which was quickly brought under control.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Wednesday the decision to further ease restrictions was about striking a balance between public health and keeping the state’s economy moving.
‘We want to give the community and businesses the confidence to move forward, especially with the 2qm rule which will allow most venues to double their capacity,’ she said.
But Ms Berejiklian begged residents not to become complacent now restrictions were easing.
‘However, as we ease restrictions it is important we don’t let our guard down. The community needs to continue to play their role in being Covid-safe and coming forward for testing with even the mildest of symptoms,’ she said.
The state government previously increased household gathering limits to 30 and outdoor public gatherings to 50, from January 29.
Masks will only be mandatory on public transport (pictured) across Greater Sydney under the eased restrictions
Hospitality workers in Greater Sydney will no longer be mandated to wear face masks under changes to Covid restrictions
Masks will still be ‘strongly encouraged’ in indoor venues where social distancing is not possible.
NSW Health said Wednesday it was continuing to investigate the source of infection of a returned overseas traveller from Wollongong who tested positive for Covid two days after being released from mandatory hotel quarantine.
The man had flown into Sydney from South America where he mostly likely became infected.
‘Genomic testing results indicate this case is not related to any other cases in hotel quarantine at the same time,’ NSW Health said.
‘Further investigations are necessary to determine the source of the case, including the possibility it is an old infection from overseas. Some tests need to be taken over several days, and further information will be released as it becomes available.’
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