Australia marks Easter amid eased COVID-19 restrictions for most
Easter services have been held around Australia after last year’s celebrations were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as thousands flocked to Sydney’s Easter show.
Easter was among the first major holidays to be cancelled in 2020 as the rise of the pandemic forced major cities across the country into lockdown.
Masses were cancelled, church services were held from home and Easter show plans were abandoned as infections grew.
This year, hundreds have gathered at church services to mark Easter Sunday.
New South Wales has recorded zero new cases of COVID-19 for the fourth consecutive day after fears of an outbreak in the state’s north earlier this week.
A single case of community transmission in Byron Bay sparked a reintroduction of restrictions for residents in the Tweed Shire Council, Ballina Shire Council, Byron Shire Council and Lismore City Council over the long weekend.
Masks are now mandatory on public transport, in retail stores and in all public indoor settings in that area.
In hospitality venues, the four-square-metre rule has been reinstated and gatherings inside people’s homes will be capped at 30.
Restrictions are set to remain in place over the Easter long weekend until Tuesday April 6.
Elsewhere in the state places of worship are still required to follow the one person per two square metre rule however singing is now allowed and caps have been lifted on private gatherings.
Sydney’s Royal Easter show was also permitted to take place this year after being cancelled for the first time in over 100 years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 60,000 attendees are expected to flock to the Sydney Showground to enjoy the festivities with rules and restrictions in place to ensure a the state’s COVID-19 rules are adhered to.
The event was a sell-out with tickets already gone for Monday too.
The long weekend marks the first weekend in Sydney with virtually no restrictions in place despite a recent case of community transmission in the state’s north in Byron Bay.
Victorians are able to attend major private and public gatherings provided social distancing is maintained and up to 1000 people are allowed to gather in South Australia.
Meanwhile in Queensland, more than 400 people and their families are spending the day in isolation after two historical cases of COVID-19 at the Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital triggered a warning from health authorities.
