Sydneysiders Will No Longer Need to Wear Face Masks From May 17

For much of the past two weeks, Greater Sydney residents have been masking up as part of the New South Wales Government's response to two recent locally acquired cases of COVID-19. Donning face coverings has been compulsory in indoor public settings and on public transport, rules that were tweaked slightly last week but still scheduled to remain in place until 12.01am on Monday, May 17 — and today, Sunday, May 16, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed that the mask mandate will indeed end tomorrow.

Sydneysiders, including those who live in Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast, will no longer need to wear a mask on public transport and at public indoor venues. That covers customer-facing staff members in hospitality as well, and anyone in gaming areas.

So, you won't have to don a mask in any situation across the state. But, they will still remain strongly recommended. Basically, if you can't guarantee social distancing somewhere — or you're using public transport — you're advised to wear them.

The restrictions have been eased because no further local COVID-19 cases have been identified over the past week. Although NSW Health is yet to find a direct link between the two recent community-acquired cases and a case with the same genomic sequence in a returned overseas traveller, the NSW Government is still happy to ease restrictions.

Compulsory mask-wearing isn't the only current restriction that's changing for Greater Sydney residents. As also announced today, at-home gathering caps will be completely scrapped, singing and dancing will be permitted again in indoor venues, and you'll be able to standing up while drinking.

To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.