Overview
As part of the New South Wales Government's response to two locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in Sydney, face masks became mandatory in indoor public settings and on public transport across Greater Sydney from 5pm on Thursday, May 6. The compulsory requirement was due to end at 12.01am on Monday, May 10 — however, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has just announced today, Sunday, May 9, that the mandate will now remain in place until the same time on Monday, May 17.
Sydneysiders, including those who live in Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast, must keep donning a mask on public transport and at public indoor venues. That said, there have been a few tweaks to the rules. They're no longer required in retail or hospitality situations, for instance — unless you're a customer-facing staff member, or you're in the gaming area.
If you're wondering what's classed as a public indoor venue, you will need to still wear masks in places such as theatres, hospitals and aged care facilities. You'll be able to exercise mask-free, though, because you don't have to cover up at at gyms and similar venues, including indoor pools and dance studios.
The restrictions have been extended because NSW Health is yet to find a link between the current two community-acquired COVID-19 cases — which have occurred in people who haven't been overseas recently, and don't work in hotel quarantine, border or health roles — and a case with the same genomic sequence in a returned overseas traveller. In a tweet, Premier Berejiklian explained that "as the 'missing link' case hasn't been identified, we're keen to prevent a super-spreading event".
Compulsory mask-wearing isn't the only current restriction that's sticking around for Greater Sydney residents. As also announced today, no more than 20 people are allowed to gather in homes, singing and dancing remain banned in indoor venues, and standing up while drinking is still not allowed.
NSW Health has also been updating the COVID-19 venues of concern list. Anyone who has visited these venues during the times specified is required to follow the outlined instructions regarding getting tested and self-isolating.
To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.