Overview
With Sydney's current cluster of COVID-19 cases continuing to expand, the New South Wales Government is implementing a number of new restrictions in an effort to stop the spread. And, when they come into effect at 4pm today, Wednesday, June 23, they'll also mark a change to Sydney's mask mandate — because the rules surrounding donning face coverings are expanding again.
Today, Wednesday, June 23, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that folks in the Greater Sydney area will need to wear masks in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces. They'll also need to wear them at organised outdoor events, such as sports matches and concerts. That's an expansion on the last change to the mask rules, which only came into effect yesterday.
At present, face masks are already compulsory on public transport across Greater Sydney, as well as indoors in public settings citywide as well. So, if you live or work in the area — or visit — you already need to wear a mask inside in hospitality venues, shops and any indoor situation where you aren't eating or drinking, as well as on public transport. Basically, unless you're at home, you need to mask up indoors.
All of these mask requirements — the rules announced yesterday, and the new expansion today — will remain in place until at least 12.01am, on Thursday, July 1 in Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour.
As it always does, NSW Health has been updating the COVID-19 venues of concern list, and will continue to do so as more places keep being identified. Anyone who has visited these venues during the times specified are required to get tested and self-isolate as per NSW Health's instructions.
To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.