COVID restrictions have finally eased in inner Sydney. A year on from lockdown closure, entertainment venues have reopened— theatres, stadiums, concert halls, nightclubs — and capacity limits have been abolished. As well, all venues will adopt a one-person per two square metre rule (QR code check-ins, however, will remain in force). Restrictions on singing have also be lifted, including at places of worship. As for masks — while “strongly recommended” — they are no longer mandatory.

The easing of restrictions follows zero reports of community transmission of COVID-19. Another deciding factor in the lifting of restrictions is the current rollout of a second vaccine jab for quarantine and frontline workers. “The timing is right to further ease restrictions across the state,” said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Meanwhile, describing the move as a “a stride in the right direction”, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said: “We are pretty much back to normal … this is an amazing achievement from where we were last year.”

The new COVID rules include:

• no caps on visitors in the home (if there are more than 100 people there must be a COVID-19 safety plan in place and electronic recordings of visitor details);
• 200 people allowed for personal outdoor public gatherings;
• no caps on weddings and funerals;
• no restrictions on singing — including places of worship;
• no restrictions on dancing — including at weddings and in pubs and nightclubs;
• all venues to move to a one-person per 2sqm rule;
• 100 percent seated capacity at entertainment venues — including stadiums and theatres;
•  mask use — including on public transport — will move from ‘mandatory’ to ‘strongly recommended’.