Hillsong has apologised for giving the “perception” it wasn’t playing its part in keeping NSW safe amid the state’s huge COVID-19 outbreak.

The act of contrition comes after NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet called for the church to be fined for breaching Public Health Orders.

NSW Health ordered Hillsong to immediately stop singing and dancing at a summer camp at the Glenrock State Conservation Area in Newcastle, after videos emerged on Thursday showing hundreds of young attendees doing so, without masks, inside a large tent while a band performed onstage.

The camp began days after changes to Public Health Orders took effect, banning singing and dancing at music festivals and forcing the cancellation of events such as the Tamworth Country Music Festival and this weekend’s Grapevine Gathering in the Hunter Valley.

Singing and dancing at large events presents a high risk of COVID-19 transmission, Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said, amid an outbreak which has seen the state record tens of thousands of cases a day.

While the church again defended the event in a statement on Friday, saying it was not similar to a music festival, it also apologised.

“We regret giving any perception that we were not playing our part to keep NSW safe and we sincerely apologise to the community at large,” it said.

“Our heart is for people; and loving and caring for all people is at the core of our church.

“Hillsong Church has always abided by Public Health Orders as directed by each government and takes COVID-safe procedures very seriously for all services and events.

“Ensuring the safety of those attending Hillsong events and supporting the wider community effort to keep Australia safe, are both priorities for our church.

“It is important to clarify that the current youth camps we are holding are not music festivals.

“These are high school-aged events that include sporting activities and games.

“They are alcohol-free events, held outdoors, and the number of students attending each camp is just over 200.

“They are known to us and part of the same social network.

“All of these factors have been communicated by the NSW Government as low-risk as described under current guidelines.

“We have also implemented strict COVID-safe procedures before and during each camp which include professional paramedics onsite 24 hours per day with testing capabilities.”

Hillsong also stated the camps had a Christian focus and included worship services.

“Over a three-day duration the percentage of time spent singing is minor,” the statement said.

“But, we have since spoken to NSW Health and received instruction to cease congregant/student singing and dancing during the services that occur on the campsite and have immediately and willingly enacted that instruction.”

Mr Perrottet said on Friday the health minister had been advised by his legal team that Hillsong had broken the rules.

“If the legal teams believe that it was in breach of the Public Health Order, then my expectation would be that a fine would be issued,” he explained.

“Even if technically it was within the rules, it certainly wasn’t in the spirit of the rules.

“If we have to tighten loopholes, we will.”

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