Churches, along with gyms, will benefit from lifted COVID-19 restrictions from Friday, as the NSW Government worked towards returning the state to “a pre-COVID environment”.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet announced on Wednesday that church services would now be able to have up to 300 people at a service, subject to space restrictions.
“The impact of COVID-19 is being felt right across the community but the further easing of restrictions to allow 300 people at religious gatherings is another cautious step towards a ‘COVID-normal’ life,” Mr Hazzard said.
“COVID-19 is still lurking amongst us so I urge all leaders to continue encouraging everyone at their religious gatherings and places of worship to comply with the health advice to keep themselves and others safe.”
Religious gatherings exclude weddings and funerals. However, from 1 December, 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.
People attending a religious service will be required to provide their name and contact details when they enter so they can be used for contact tracing. They are also being urged to wear a mask when attending places of worship.
Gyms, which have previously needed to have COVID safe marshalls in place at all times, will now be able to operate without one when there are fewer than 20 people there.
“Our aim is to provide as many opportunities as we can for organisations and the community to carry on with their work and lives as much as possible,” Mr Perrottet said.
