Overview
COVID-19 restrictions across New South Wales have been easing over the past few months, including loosened rules for restaurants, bars, cafes and eateries, and on caps for-home gatherings. But if you're the type of person who not only likes hanging out with your mates at bars and pubs, but standing up while you're knocking back cold ones, sipping wine or enjoying a cocktail, you'll be particularly pleased with the latest announcement.
Today, Wednesday, March 17, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet have revealed that the state's residents can now drink while vertical indoors, with the change already in effect. Accordingly, your days of only being seated while you're having a few beverages have finally come to an end. If you feel like saying cheers to that, it's understandable.
The news wasn't unexpected. Back in February, Premier Gladys Berejiklian had noted that standing up while you drink inside at a pub or bar would be back on March 17 "if everything goes well". And even though NSW has reported two locally acquired cases in the past few days — including one overnight — the rule about only sipping while you're sitting has still been scrapped.
Cassandra Hannagan
Nothing else is changing at present. If you're hanging out to hit the dance floor, that's still off limits — unless you're at a wedding, where 30 people can make shapes at once. But loosening the dancing rules, and letting more people attend weddings funerals, are under consideration for future rule changes.
As always, NSW residents are asked to continue to get tested immediately if you experience even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms — and to keep an eye on the list of locations linked to the current locations linked to cases, and monitor for symptoms, get tested and/or self-isolate if you've visited any of the named spots.
For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
Images: Cassandra Hannagan.