Overview
Today, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the new arrangements for NSW, specifically for Greater Sydney, in relation to New Year's Eve. Back in November, the Government announced it would be allocating spots along the Sydney Harbour foreshore for frontline workers to view the seven-minute fireworks display at midnight.
While the Premier has confirmed the fireworks will be going ahead, the vantage point offering for frontline workers is no longer available, stating the government "don't want any crowds on the foreshore around Sydney whatsoever". Instead, she encouraged everyone to watch the fireworks on television.
Events at hospitality venues are permitted to proceed provided they adhere to the four-square-metre rule and have a COVID-safe plan in place, and all patrons who have a reservation must apply for a permit through Service NSW to attend.
In keeping with the current restrictions on indoor gatherings, residents of Greater Sydney (outside the northern beaches), Central Coast and Wollongong are allowed to have ten visitors in their home. If you are a resident or guest of a resident within the designated green zones on New Year's Eve, you must also apply for a permit through Service NSW. Meanwhile, outdoor gatherings, including picnics and barbecues, are restricted to 50 guests (down from 100).
Stay-at-home orders remain in place for northern beaches residents until January 2 for the southern zone and January 9 for the northern zone, with some easing of restrictions for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Residents of the northern zone are allowed to have indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to five visitors provided they are also from the northern zone. Meanwhile, those in the southern zone can have indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to ten visitors from within their zone.
Restrictions on gatherings in regional NSW remain unchanged, with 50 allowed at indoor gatherings and 100 at outdoor.
The announcement comes as NSW records five additional cases of locally acquired COVID-19 in the 24 hours leading up to 8pm on Sunday, December 27. Four of those are directly linked to the Avalon cluster with one under investigation. Yesterday saw around 15,364 tests — a significant drop from the high testing numbers between December 24–27 — with the Premier stating she wants the testing rates to "go higher and stay high to give us confidence about the decisions we can take moving forward".
For more information about NSW's coronavirus restrictions and NYE plans, head to the NSW Government website.
Top image: NYE Fireworks 2016 by City of Sydney.