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NSW virus rules relaxed, with groups of up to 30 allowed in restaurants

NSW health authorities has urged people to remain vigilant as virus rules are wound back further.

NSW health authorities has urged people to remain vigilant as virus rules are wound back further. Photo: AAP

The NSW Premier has announced more easing of restrictions around gatherings after the state recorded zero local cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

Gatherings in outdoor public spaces and group bookings at restaurants will be increased to 30 people from this Friday. However, “mingling” is still off the cards.

Currently, no more than 10 people can sit together at a restaurant and no more than 20 people could gather outside.

“This is good news to allow people to prepare for Christmas and the celebrations over summer,” Gladys Berejiklian said.

“[But] we’re not at the place that we can allow mingling … so everybody has to be seated.”

There is also no change to the 20-person limit for household gatherings as homes are still considered high-risk environments, Ms Berejiklian said.

But in good news for those planning their nuptials, from December 1 the number of people who can attend weddings will be lifted to 300 people, subject to the four-square-metre rule indoors and two-square-metre rule outdoors.

However, there is no change to dancing at weddings, with only the bridal party (of up to 20 people) allowed on the dance floor.

The Premier said this boost to gathering sizes would allow hospitality venues to plan ahead and roster more staff.

“We are very concerned about jobs and job growth in NSW,” she said.

“But we are also hopeful that the easing of restrictions coupled with the outstanding work our health experts are doing will put us in good shape to protect jobs.”

In the 24 hours to 8pm Sunday, 6952 tests were completed with only four travellers in hotel quarantine returning positive results.

Chief health officer Kerry Chant said despite there being no local cases overnight, this was not the time to relax.

“It is critical we are not complacent … we are concerned that there are transmission chains that are undetected, particularly in south-western Sydney and Western Sydney,” Dr Chant said.

-more to come

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