Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced a loosening of COVID regulations in time for Christmas, but further changes have been requested for indoor services.
On Thursday, November 19, the Premier said the arrangements would be in place by November 23.
“2020 has been a tough year for everyone and we want people to be able to look forward to the festive season in a COVID-Safe way,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Key changes
- Increased capacity for outdoor religious services: Up to 500 people outdoors, provided the audience is seated (with 1 person per 2 square metres if assigned a seat, or 1 person per 4 square metres if seated in an allocated seated area (e.g. where the grass is marked or on picnic rugs)
- Increased capacity for outdoors singing and carols: Up to 30 singers will be permitted outdoors, subject to COVID-safe requirements (the limit of 5 remains for indoor venues). The audience or congregation may participate in the singing, but anyone 12 years or older must wear a mask.
- Increased capacity for controlled outdoor events (such as concerts) that are ticketed and held in an enclosed or fenced area: Up to 3,000 people can attend with 1 person per 2 square metres if assigned a seat, or 1 person per 4 square metres if seated in an allocated seated area (e.g. where the grass is marked or on picnic rugs).
- Increased capacity for outdoor religious services: Up to 500 people outdoors, provided the audience is seated (with 1 person per 2 square metres if assigned a seat, or 1 person per 4 square metres if seated in an allocated seated area (e.g. where the grass is marked or on picnic rugs)
- Increased capacity at funerals: 300 people from 1 December.
Request for singing in church
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard made it clear the government's focus was on outdoor celebrations. "Meeting up outdoors is the best way to stay COVID-safe this festive season." the minister said.
Archbishop Glenn Davies has written to the minister, saying he is delighted by the easing of restrictions, but asking that congregation members be allowed to sing at Christmas services, with masks.
Dr Davies said where churches practise social distancing, hand sanitisation, contact tracing and regular cleaning between services, and in many cases temperature checking as well, singing with masks in church should be allowed.
