NSW to reintroduce two-square-metre rule across all Greater Sydney venues

The NSW government will ease restrictions and reintroduce the two-square-metre rule across the Greater Sydney region, following updated health advice from Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant.

From 12:01 on Friday 12 February, the one-person-per-two-square-metre rule will apply at all venues, except for gyms, in Greater Sydney, including Wollongong, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains.

However, weddings and funerals will still be subject to a 300-person cap.

Masks will only be mandatory on public transport, but the NSW government said they will be strongly encouraged in other indoor venues where social distancing is not possible.

“Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state’s latest changes to restrictions were about striking the balance between keeping the economy going and boosting jobs, while ensuring COVID-19 is kept under control.

“We want to continue to give the community and businesses the confidence to move forward, especially with the expansion of the two-square-metres rule, which will allow most venues to double their capacity,” she said.

“However, as we ease restrictions, it is important we don’t let our guard down. The community needs to continue to play their role in being COVID-safe and coming forward for testing with even the mildest of symptoms.”

The changes are in line with Berejiklian’s comments late last month, where she anticipated that the four-square-metre rule would be removed in two weeks’ time if current trends continued.

Featured image source: Facebook/NSW Health