Residents across Newcastle and the Hunter have joined the rest of the state today in welcoming back some freedoms as coronavirus restrictions continue to ease.
The number of people allowed inside indoor venues will be determined by the one person per four square metre rule, with no upper limit.
This includes function centres. All activity must be seated only.
Cultural and sporting events at outdoor venues with a maximum capacity of 40,000 will be allowed up to 25% of their normal capacity.
Events must be ticketed and seated and follow strict guidelines.
On compassionate grounds, restrictions on funerals will immediately be eased to allow the one person per four square metre rule to apply.
All other restrictions, including 20 guests inside the home and 20 for outside gatherings, remain the same.
Community sport is set to recommence where activities involving 500 participants, including players, spectators and officials can go ahead with a COVID-19 Safety Plan.
All business can now open and operate under the one person per four square metre rule.
Earlier this month, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW was able to further ease restrictions due to the limited community transmission of COVID-19.
“The community has worked incredibly hard over the past few months, which has allowed us to be where we are today,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“However, we can’t let our guard down.
“People need to come forward for testing with the mildest of symptoms and practice good hand hygiene and social distancing.”
Fourteen new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases to 3,203 – all new cases were in returned travellers now in hotel quarantine.
A total of 16,243 tests were notified in the reporting period, compared with 12,950 tests in the previous 24 hours.
There are currently 63 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, with one in intensive care.
In NSW, 2,787 people are known to have recovered from COVID-19.
Anyone feeling unwell – even with the mildest of symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat – is urged to self-isolate and seek testing.
A full list of testing clinics is available at COVID-19 Clinics.
It is essential people follow directions they receive about home isolation and quarantine and maintain COVID-safe practices of physical distancing of 1.5 metres and regularly wash their hands.
