Alfresco dining, house parties and packed-out concerts: All the big changes coming to New South Wales TODAY for the start of summer as coronavirus restrictions are eased and borders re-open
The first day of summer has ushered in the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in New South Wales as people make preparations for Christmas with up to 50 visitors.
Sydneysiders are now free to go to Queensland without quarantining while businesses across NSW are required to log patrons with the digital QR code.
Virgin Australia flights from Victoria and NSW Queensland were near capacity on Tuesday and thousands of travellers are booked to travel to the Sunshine State this week.
Up to 50 visitors are allowed in homes as part of a host of restrictions eased on Tuesday - up from 20 - as long as there is an outside area available, otherwise it's advised numbers don't exceed 30 guests.
Sydneysiders are now free to go to Queensland without quarantining while businesses across NSW are required to log patrons with the digital QR code (pictured, person using a QR code in Melbourne)
Outdoor Christmas parties could be a popular option this year as 50 people - up from 30 - can now gather in a public space.
Hospitality venues up to 200 square metres can now have one person per two square metres indoors and outdoor religious services and gatherings of up to 500 people are allowed.
The NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay has joined religious leaders in calling for a change to the two square metre rule in places of worship and an end to the ban on congregational singing and chanting.
'The current restrictions are unfair and it's taking a toll on people of faith,' Ms McKay said on Tuesday.
'Forty thousand people were allowed to attend the footy grand final and 11,000 the Everest horse race but there is still a maximum of 300 people for some of the most important religious gatherings.
'People are allowed to sing at karaoke bars and concerts but only five people can sing carols in a church. It doesn't make sense,' she said.
Up to 30 choristers are allowed to sing together outdoors and anyone participating in the singing, whether in the choir or audience 12 or older, must wear a mask - including at Christmas carol concerts.
Hospitality venues up to 200 square metres can now have one person per two square metres indoors (pictured, people dining out)
Ticketed outdoor events such as Christmas carols have the green light to go ahead with attendances of up to 3,000 (pictured, Carols in the Domain 2017)
Public outdoor gatherings of up to 50 will be allowed in NSW from December 1. Pictured are Sydneysiders catching up at Coogee Beach
Ticketed outdoor events such as Christmas carols have the green light to go ahead with attendances of up to 3,000 as of November 23.
One person per two square metres will apply at events with allocated seating, while a four-square-metre rule will apply to those sitting on picnic rugs.
Up to 300 will also be allowed at funerals to bring them in line with the capacity at weddings and corporate functions.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said from Tuesday pubs and small bars across NSW will now be able to use footpaths and public spaces so customers can enjoy drinking and dining in a COVID-safe way.
The alfresco dining trial that had breathed life back into The Rocks and Darling Harbour will now be made available to all of NSW, he said.
Queensland will finally reopen its borders to Sydneysiders and Victorians. Pictured is motorists driving through a border control checkpoint at Coolangatta near the QLD border
'This is a win-win allowing food and drink businesses to better use the public space around them, will keep communities safer, support the hospitality industry, and boost the economy,' Mr Stokes said.
Streamlined alfresco dining approvals will be available from Tuesday.
NSW has now gone 24 days without a single locally transmitted coronavirus case.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged residents not to become complacent.
'Given we have gone a certain number of days without community transmission it does reduce our concern in that regard,' she said on Monday.
' my strong message to the people of New South Wales is please let us not let our guard down. We have come too far to let complacency get the better of us.'
More restrictions will be eased in NSW on December 14, when the public health order requiring employers to allow employees to work from home will be abolished.
'Hopefully businesses and other organisations can consider having more people in the workplace in a COVID-safe way,' Ms Berejiklian said
Airport staff greet the first passengers back from Sydney since the Queensland borders re-opened on Tuesday
The final COVID-19 hotspot declarations on Victoria and Sydney blocking them from entry were lifted at 1am on Tuesday. Pictured: a passenger arrives at Brisbane airport on Tuesday
Queensland confirmed last week it would reopen the borders to Greater Sydney after the city recorded no mystery cases of COVID-19 for 28 days in a row.
'We know how tough this has been on families. This is a great day. It's exciting news,' the state's Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
South Australia will reopen to Victoria on Tuesday, despite a recent outbreak in Adelaide which sparked a three day statewide lockdown earlier this month.
'So from December 1, we will completely normalise our border arrangements with Victoria and this will be a huge relief for many people who have been adversely affected by these border restrictions,' the state's health minister Stephen Wade told reporters last week.
South Australians will still need a permit will still required to enter Victoria unless an exemption applies.
The first Sydney arrival since the Queensland border re-opened celebrates at the gate on Tuesday morning
Some parts of South Australia continue to be COVID-19 hotspots for Queensland.
'You must complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass three days before you come to Queensland if you have been in a currently declared hotspot or overseas,' the South Australian government website states.
'You must fly into Queensland if you are permitted to enter from a hotspot. You will need to be granted an exemption to enter by road from a hotspot unless you are a truck driver, worker related to the transport of freight and logistics or performing selected essential activities.'
South Australians must undergo a 14-day hotel quarantine in Queensland.
CHANGES COMING DECEMBER 1
Borders reopen
*Queensland will reopen its borders to Sydneysiders and Victorians
* South Australia will reopen its borders to Victoria but will need a permit if heading across the border in the wake of the recent outbreak in Adelaide
*South Australians flying into Queensland from COVID hotspots will have to undergo 14 days hotel quarantine
Coronavirus restrictions being eased in NSW
*Outdoor public gatherings increase from 30 up to 50
*Residents can have gatherings at home of up to 30 indoors and 50 outdoors
* Ticketed outdoor events can have up to 3,000 attendees
*Capacity at restaurants, bars and cafes will be increased. Venues with up to 200 square metres of floor space can apply the 2-square-metre rule indoors
* Up to 300 people now allowed at funerals
* Work from home public health order will be abolished on December 14