After two months of staying at home, the city comes out to play

The NSW government eased its tough coronavirus restrictions to allow cafes and restaurants to open their doors to serve 10 people at a time - as long as social distancing measures were observed.

Bars and cellar doors that served food were also allowed to open on Friday.

READ MORE: What police will be doing to ensure compliance

Plenty of people took up the chance to sit down in a restaurant for the first time in weeks, where they would have previously been limited to takeaway.

It was a welcome day for Bulli's Resin Brewing, which opened in mid-March only for the government to force it and other venues to close a week later.

Co-owner Stephen House said Friday's easing of restrictions was "like the first ray of sunshine peeking through the clouds".

The warning tape was removed from playgrounds as Wollongong and Shellharbour council staff spent the day driving through the city opening up slippery dips and swings to the kids.

Some kids didn't bother waiting for the tape and "park closed" signs to be removed before they climbed on board.

Shellharbour council also opened its pools - though only one swimmer per lane was allowed and people had to book in advance.

Wollongong council kept the Continental Pool, and Corrimal and Dapto heated pools closed until early next week, when swimmers will have to make a booking to get a lane for half an hour.

The change rooms at these pools will remain closed.

"These changes will allow people to move more freely but they should do so while continuing to follow health and hygiene practices and maintaining physical distancing," said Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery.