Return of a number of COVID restrictions in New South Wales

Return of a number of COVID restrictions in New South Wales

The NSW government is bringing back a number of Covid-19 related restrictions in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus in New South Wales

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced COVID-19 restrictions introduced to pubs will be extended to restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs. The new limits will cap indoor venue patrons, tighten booking numbers and see further limits on weddings, funerals and churches. These limits include no more than 10 people per booking and a 300 people or one person square metre cap on patrons in a venue.

“The reason for this as we absolutely need everybody seated when they are in a venue,” Berejiklian said.

“No mingling ... and when you have smaller groups, there is less chance of people getting up and mingling.”

The compliance measures introduced to pubs from today (17) will be extended to restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs from Friday, July 24, at 12:01am.

 

  • Group bookings are now reduced from 20 to 10 people.
  • Venues must have COVID-Safe registration with the NSW Government, which includes a safety plan covering hygiene, physical distancing, the recording of contact details of staff and customers and staff wellbeing.
  • Paper sign-in is allowed but a digital record of patrons' attendance must be created within 24 hours.

 

The rules for pubs in force from today include a mandatory hygiene marshall for venues.

Any business found in breach of the Public Health Orders could face a penalty of up to $55,000 and a further $27,500 penalty may apply for each day an offence continues. On-the-spot fines can also be issued,” NSW Health said.

There are also further restrictions on other public gatherings.

 

  • Weddings and events are limited to a maximum of 150 people, subject to the 4 square metre rule,
  • "High-risk activities" such as choirs and dancing are banned
  • Funerals and places of worship are permitted a maximum of 100 people, subject to the 4 square metre rule.
  • All of the above events must be registered as a COVID-Safe business.
  • Gatherings are limited to 20 people in the home and public places, however it is recommended that home visitors are capped at 10 people "as a general principle".

 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian insisted that wedding guests should always be seated and there should be "no dancing, no singing, no mingling".