The next step in the COVID roadmap officially comes into effect today Wednesday, December 15.
From today the same rules will apply to all people, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not, in most settings.
Density limits will no longer apply, and COVID-Safe plans will become optional for businesses.
Masks will no longer be required in all indoor public spaces. Instead people will only need them on public transport, planes and at airports.
Front-of-house hospitality staff who are not fully vaccinated will also need to wear a mask while working.
But masks are still strongly encouraged in cases where you cannot maintain social distancing.
NSW residents will now only have to check-in at the following venues:
- Hospitals
- Aged and disability care facilities
- Gyms
- Places of worship
- Funerals or memorial services
- Personal services (including sex services)
- Pubs, small bars and registered clubs, nightclubs, and strip clubs
- Indoor music festivals with over 1000 people
All non-critical retail will reopen to everyone and there will be no limit applied to personal services such as hairdressers, beauty salons, tattoo parlours and spas.
Sex services will also be allowed to reopen.
In exciting news for music fans, today also marks the return of singing and dancing indoors and outdoors at pubs and clubs – for both the vaccinated and unvaccinated.
There will be no limit to the number of visitors allowed in homes. All aged care and disability care facilities are allowed visitors in line with their policies.
No limits will apply in gyms, indoor recreation, and sporting facilities. Community sports will open to everyone, and indoor swimming pools will reopen.
There will be no limits on outdoor gatherings or the number of people allowed at entertainment and major recreation facilities – such as cinemas, race courses, and stadiums – subject to 100 per cent of their fixed seat capacity.
There will also be no limit to patrons allowed in libraries, museums and art galleries. However, music festivals will remain capped at 20,000 people and indoor music events with over 1000 attendees and cruises with more than 100 passengers will require proof of vaccination.
Amusement and play centre will now be open to everyone.
Weddings and funerals will have no limits on the number of guests allowed to attend. Eating and drinking will be allowed while standing and sitting, and singing and dancing will also be permitted.
Places of worship will be open to everyone.
For those missing loved ones – Travel between Greater Sydney and regional NSW will reopen for everyone from today.
