Following a week and a half of no new locally acquired cases in New South Wales (although with a small but consistent number of hotel quarantine cases, we're yet to record a much-coveted 'double doughnut' day), premier Gladys Berejiklian announced today that rules around household visitors and face masks would be easing as of Friday, January 29 at 12.01am.
- You will be allowed to have up to 30 visitors in your home from Friday, while outdoor gatherings will increase to 50 people.
- The cap on guests at weddings and funerals will also increase, up to 300 guests.
- The four-square-metre rule will continue to apply for those events, and will continue to apply for hospitality venues – however, the total number of people allowed in a venue will not be capped (it was previously limited to a maximum of 300).
- Face coverings will no longer be mandatory in shops, but will still be compulsory on public transport, in places of worship, if you are attending a hair or beauty appointment or if you are a frontline hospitality worker.
The premier also announced that the four-square-metre rule is expected to revert to the two-square-metre rule, thereby doubling venue capacity, within two weeks if cases remain low or zero.