Overview
Australians have almost spent 12 months now navigating different levels of COVID-19 restrictions, with the rules tightening and easing state by state depending on case numbers in each area. Accordingly, the announcement of more changes has become a regular occurrence — but when that news involves being able to have bigger parties and hit the dance floor, it's always welcome.
Today, Wednesday, February 24, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that New South Wales' current coronavirus restrictions will relax again at 12.01am on Friday, February 26. With the rules for restaurants, bars, cafes and eateries last easing a fortnight ago, this time around the NSW Government is focusing on at-home gatherings. Just in time to shape your weekend plans, you'll be able to have 50 people over to your house at once, instead of the current maximum of 30.
The rules around dancing are also changing, but only in one specific setting: weddings. So, Sydneysiders can't start making shapes at their favourite bar or nightclub just yet; however, if you know someone that's getting hitched in the immediate future, you can join a group of 30 people in total on the dance floor at the reception.
In other changes, 50 people can now attend gym classes at the same time, but the one person per four-square-metres rule is still in effect. And, if singing is on your agenda, choirs and congregations can get vocal with 30 people at once. Also, cinemas can go back up to 100-percent capacity.
Premier Berejiklian also revealed that, come Wednesday, March 17, standing up while you drink indoors at a pub or bar will be back "if everything goes well" between now and then. She flagged that wedding capacities — currently limited at 300 people — may also increase, but didn't give that change a set date.
While restrictions continue to ease, the Premier noted that NSW residents still "have to be as vigilant as ever. We have to make sure we do not become complacent, that we stick to the COVID restrictions and rules to make sure that all of us stay protected".
The latest announcement comes as NSW recorded no new locally acquired COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, February 23, marking 38 consecutive days where that's been the case. As always, NSW residents are asked to continue to get tested immediately if you experience even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms.
For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.