NSW rolling back nearly all coronavirus restrictions from Monday: No caps on weddings and funerals, dancing and singing allowed, mask mandate scrapped
On Monday, NSW will return to the closest thing to “normal” since the coronavirus pandemic began more than a year ago.
A whole host of restrictions will be rolled back and the cap on the number of people allowed at weddings, funerals, and private gatherings will lift.
People will be allowed to sing and dance “in any environment”, including places of worship, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
The state’s mask mandate will also be lifted, and they will no longer be mandatory on public transport.
Mask wearing will still be recommended where social distancing is not possible.
“I appreciate the timing of this but I also appreciate how important it for NSW to keep moving forward even during difficult times,” Ms Berejiklian said.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said today’s announcement of easing of restrictions is an “amazing achievement” for the state.
“Dancing is back, singing is back, the sun is back and fun is back here in NSW,” Mr Perrottet said.
In March last year, NSW was reaching is peak lockdown with beaches and businesses closed and people unable to leave their homes for non-essential reasons.
“This is a great day for everyone in our state,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Summer in the Domain is on, the rugby league is back on at Bank West Stadium, the Swans are back to a full crowd at the SCG, Hamilton is premiering and now Brad and I are going clubbing next weekend.”
What changes at 12.01am on Monday:
- No caps on weddings and funerals;
- Mask use including on public transport will move from ‘mandatory’ to ‘strongly recommended’.
- No restrictions on singing including in places of worship;
- No restriction on dancing including at weddings and in pubs and nightclubs;
- No cap on visitors in the home (if there are more than 100 people there must be a COVID-19 Safety plan and electronic recording of visitor details);
- 200 people allowed for personal outdoor public gatherings;
- All venues to move to the one person per 2sqm rule (venues will be allowed at least 25 people before the 2sqm rule applies);
- 100 per cent seated capacity at entertainment venues including stadiums and theatres
- Mask use including on public transport will move from ‘mandatory’ to ‘strongly recommended’
