Oct 21 – Restrictions for religious gatherings and gyms will be eased under relaxed COVID-19 safety rules announced today by NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
PHOTO – Health Minister Brad Hazzard
From Friday 23 October:
- Religious gatherings/places of worship (excluding weddings and funerals) can have up to 300 people, subject to a COVID-19 safety plan; and
- Gyms will only be required to have a COVID-19 safety marshal if there are more than 20 people in the gym at one time.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said as the NSW Government eases restrictions the community should continue to be COVID Safe.
“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.
“We want to keep moving forward but for that strategy to be successful we need everyone to follow the COVID-19 Safety Plans.”
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard thanked religious leaders and the community for their ongoing support of the efforts to control COVID-19.
“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.
NSW Health Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said NSW Health continues to work closely with the gym sector to develop further guidance to ensure every measure is taken to keep people safe when they visit the gym.
“People can help stop the spread of COVID-19 in gyms by visiting at less busy times, practising good hand hygiene before, during and after workouts, maintaining physical distancing especially when working out, and wiping down equipment with detergent and disinfectant each time it is used,” Dr Chant said.
Each gym facility is required to have a COVID Safe plan.