COVID-19 restrictions in NSW are set to ease further on Wednesday, December 15.
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From that date, the same rules will apply to all people, regardless of whether they are vaccinated against COVID or not, in most settings.
Density limits will no longer apply and COVID-safe plans will be optional for businesses.
Below is a breakdown of the new rules...
Masks and QR codes
Masks will no longer be required in all public indoor settings; instead, people will only need them on public transport and planes, and at airports.
Front-of-house hospitality staff who are not fully vaccinated will also need to wear a mask while working.
However, masks are still strongly encouraged where people cannot maintain social distancing.
People will have to check-in at the following locations only:
- Hospitals
- Aged and disability care facilities
- Gyms
- Places of worship
- Funerals or memorial services
- Personal services (including sex services)
- Pubs, small bars and registered clubs, nightclubs, and strip clubs
- Indoor music festivals with over 1000 people
Shopping and personal services
Non-critical retail will open to everyone and there will be no person limit applied to personal services, such as hairdressers, beauty salons, tattoo parlours and spas.
Sex service premises will be allowed to reopen.
Restaurants, cafes and pubs
Wednesday heralds the return of singing and dancing indoors and outdoors at pubs and clubs, for everyone.
There will be no limit to the number of people allowed in hospitality venues, and patrons can drink standing or sitting, indoors and outdoors.
Visitors at home
There will be no limit to the number of visitors allowed in homes.
All visitors are allowed at aged and disability care facilities, in line with their policies.
Exercise and recreation
No limits will apply in gyms, indoor recreation and sporting facilities.
Community sports will open to everyone and indoor swimming pools will reopen.
There will be no limits on outdoor gatherings.
Travel
Travel between Greater Sydney and regional NSW reopens for everyone on Wednesday.
Events and entertainment
There will be no limit on the number of people allowed at entertainment and major recreation facilities - such as cinemas, race courses and stadiums - subject to 100 per cent of their fixed seat capacity.
There will also be no limit to patrons allowed into libraries, museums and art galleries, nor attendees at outdoor events.
However, music festivals will remain capped at 20,000 people.
Amusement and play centres will reopen to everyone.
But indoor music festivals with over 1000 attendees and cruises with more than 100 passengers will require proof of vaccination.
Weddings, funerals and religious services
Weddings and funerals will have no limits on the number of people allowed to attend.
Eating and drinking will be allowed while standing and seating, and singing and dancing will also be permitted.
Places of worship will be allowed to open to everyone.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
