NSW coronavirus restrictions ease: What changes come into effect today
A raft of coronavirus restrictions have eased in NSW as of this morning, as the state continues its streak of zero new community case transmissions.
The major rollback of rules comes after the state marked its 11th straight day of no new local cases, with the donut figure expected to continue.
The relaxed restrictions will be welcomed by Greater Sydney residents after two coronavirus clusters — one on the Northern Beaches and another in Berala, in the city's south-west — resulted in limits on gatherings across Christmas, New Year's and Australia Day.
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The Sydney Harbour Bridge is seen as police walk past a security check point during Australia Day celebrations at Circular Quay. Sydney Morning Herald
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, at a press conference about the easing of restrictions in NSW, after the state records its 10th consecutive day of no community transmission of COVID-19. Janie Barrett
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From 12.01am today, up to 30 people are now allowed in homes, including children, and 50 people can attend outdoor events such as picnics.
As many as 300 people can now attend weddings, subject to the one person per four-square-metre rule.
While there is no cap on the number of people allowed at hospitality venues or places of worship, there is one catch still.
It all remains subject to the four-square-metre rule for at least another fortnight, when the Berala cluster is expected to be knocked out, Ms Berejiklian said when announcing the easing of restrictions on Wednesday.
Shoppers wear masks on Castlereagh Street in Sydney. Jessica Hromas
Masks will remain mandatory on public transport, in places of worship and beauty salons and by front of house hospitality staff.
They become optional at supermarkets, and other retail and hospitality venues.
Restrictions are likely to be relaxed further in another fortnight the premier flagged, subject to no or low community transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
This may see the four-square-metre rule changed again to the two-square metre rule for hospitality venues, and at events such as weddings.
Masks remain mandatory in beauty salons but will be optional at other retail venues Getty
A woman in a surgical mask walks past the entrance to the Woolworths Metro supermarket in North Strathfield. Getty
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The relaxed restrictions come into effect the day after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the state's border with NSW will reopen on February 1.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also flagged the "vast majority" of orange zones in NSW will change to green zones as soon as today, paving the way for travel to resume with almost all of Greater Sydney.
And people from Greater Sydney will be allowed to travel to South Australia without quarantining from Sunday morning.
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