Churches are back to the four square metre rule and singing by congregations is now longer allowed, according to new restrictions in force until at least July 2.
On Wednesday June 23, Premier Gladys Berijiklian announced that for the Greater Sydney area, including the Blue Mountains and Wollongong -
- The one person per four square metre rule has been re-introduced for all indoor and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals
- Masks are compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including places of worship, workplaces, and at organised outdoor events
- Singing by audiences at indoor shows or by congregants at indoor places of worship is not allowed
- Visitors to households will be limited to 5 guests — including children
- Residents or workers in the City of Sydney, Waverley, Randwick, Canada Bay, Inner West, Bayside, and Woollahra local government areas, cannot travel outside metropolitan Sydney for non-essential travel.
“We don’t take these steps lightly and we never want to impose restrictions unless we absolutely have to,” Ms Berejiklian said. “We know the effect this will have on residents and venues but we must take this action now to ensure we keep on top of this outbreak.”
On Friday, June 25, the Premier announced a further tightening of restrictions which will see churches go online for Sunday, 27th in four local government areas. They are
· Woollahra
· Waverley
· Randwick and
· City of Sydney
A small team of people would be allowed on church premises to livestream the service, but the congregation cannot be present. This is because a “stay at home order” is in place for people who live and work in these four LGA’s.
The Premier has indicated that these arrangements will stay in place until midnight, Friday 2nd July 2021.
The COVID FAQ page for church workers is being updated as new information comes in.
