NSW, we’re moving back to COVID normal. Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced a raft of restrictions easing from Friday morning, including household gatherings increasing to 30 people (!!!!) and retail workers no longer being required to wear a mask for their entire shift. Huzzah.
Face masks will still be mandatory on public transport, when attending a place of worship, when attending a beauty or hairdressing salon, or if you’re a front of house hospitality worker.
However, they will no longer be mandatory for supermarkets or for retail workers, which must be some sweet, sweet relief.
“We recommend people wear masks if [they’re] vulnerable and can’t guarantee social distancing,” Berejiklian said.
“We asked supermarkets and other places to consider what their staffing policy might be around masks. We’re not suggesting it is compulsory, because the contacts there are casual. People are in and out. But that is a critical issue.”
Outdoor gatherings will increase to 50 people, household gatherings will increase to 30 people, and venues will no longer be capped – although they will have to comply with the four square metre rule.
It comes as NSW goes 10 days with no new COVID cases in the community, which is pretty bloody great.
The Premier also flagged the four square metre rule will likely be easing to a two square metre rule within the next two weeks, provided new cases don’t pick back up.
“We’re sending this message out today so that businesses can be prepared,” she said.
Want a quick run down? Of course you do!
From Friday 12.01am:
- Household gatherings increase to 30 people
- Outdoor gatherings increase to 50 people
- Weddings and funerals increase to 300
- (But no increases on the number of people dancing at a wedding, sorry)
- Face masks will no longer be mandatory in shopping centres – for retail workers OR you doing the weekly shop
- Supermarkets are being asked to set their own rules on face masks
- Masks will remain mandatory for public transport, beauty salons, places of worship, and for front-of-house hospo workers
- Venues won’t have a strict cap on people, but they will be subject to the four square metre rule
Sometime within the next two weeks:
- The four square metre rule may decrease to a two square metre rule
Wow, it’s almost like we’re back to the pre-Northern Beaches stage already.
