Sydneysiders Will Be Able to Gather in Groups of 30 in Public and at Restaurants from October 23
It's the first time the outdoor gathering limit has changed since mid-June.
With a pandemic spreading around the globe, 2020 hasn't been the year for parties. It hasn't been the time for just hanging out in large groups either. But Sydneysiders will be able to gather in slightly bigger numbers both in public spaces and hospitality venues from Friday, October 23, with the state lifting the 20- and ten-person limits that have been in place since all the way back in June.
While the state saw a slight increase in locally transmitted cases earlier this month, no new local cases were detected in the 24 hours leading up to 8pm on Sunday, October 18, so Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced some eased restrictions. From this Friday, Sydneysiders will be able to gather outdoors in groups of up to 30 (previously 20), and restaurants and bars will be allowed to take bookings for groups of up to 30 (previously ten) and you can all sit at the one table.
These rules do only apply for outdoor public spaces and hospitality venues, however, which means gatherings at houses must still be limited to 20. If you break this rule, every single person at the illegal gathering can be slapped with a $1000 on-the-spot fine — which could end up being a very expensive house party.
The announcement follows the easing of some restrictions last week, when hospitality venues were allowed to increase their outdoor capacity to one person per two square metres, as long as they have an electronic QR code. Outdoor music performances of up to 500 people are also allowed, as long as everyone is seated.
Plus, from December 1, weddings of up to 300 people will be allowed, as long as you stick to the one person per four-square-metre rule indoors and per two-square-metre rule outdoors.
For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW and current restrictions, head to the NSW Government website.
