The limit of fully vaccinated guests for weddings and funerals will be removed from the Monday after NSW hits the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target. 

However, those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend weddings with a maximum of 5 guests with no receptions and in the case of funerals, those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend funerals with a maximum of 10 people.

At 80 percent, churches and places of worship can continue to open with one person per 4 sqm, with no singing. Those who are not fully vaccinated will be allowed, while in other areas of society they will not be allowed out of most restrictions until December 1.

“But that is the one exception,” said Premier Gladys Berejiklian “and the unvaccinated, I think, will feel very disappointed because they won’t be able to reengage until December 1.”

As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will continue to implement government guidelines and make our churches as safe as possible.

The NSW government has unveiled the path for easing restrictions from around October 24, which is when the 80 target will be hit. (see Roadmap PDF) The 70 percent target is expected to be reached by Monday 11th October.

"We are pleased that the government has acknowledged the essential place of worship in the lives of people of faith,” said Archbishop Kanishka Raffel.

Churches are busy preparing to re-open, although many will choose to remain fully online until we reach the 80 percent mark.

"As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will continue to implement government guidelines and make our churches as safe as possible. My bishops and I have been vigorously advocating vaccination and we have had a good response from congregations, with many achieving very high levels of vaccination.” he said.

"In many places the number of people who are not vaccinated may not be large but we have an important responsibility to ensure no-one is left behind and our churches are open, and safe, for all."

Roadmap from 80% for Weddings, funerals and places of worship

• One person per 4sqm (uncapped) for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing. Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend weddings with a maximum of 5 guests (no receptions)
• One person per 4 sqm (uncapped) for funerals. Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend funerals with a maximum of 10 people
• Churches and places of worship can continue to open with one person per 4 sqm, with no singing. Those who are not fully vaccinated will be allowed.

The Premier emphasised in her news conference that the return to church was under ‘very strict rules’.

“There will also be COVID safety plans in place so the four-square metre rule will apply,” she said.  “There’ll be mask-wearing, there’ll be limited singing or chanting so there’s still very strict plans in place, very strict plans in place at 80% double dose for places of worship.”

The Premier said it would be up to faith leaders to enforce rules.

The government also foreshadowed the restrictions from December 1.

Roadmap from Dec 1 for Weddings, funerals and places of worship

·No limit on the number of visitors to a home
·Churches and places of worship can operate with one person per 2 sqm.
·Singing permitted.
·Mask wearing is not required when outdoors.
·One person per 2 sqm for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing
·One person per 2 sqm for funerals