From 15 December 2021, COVID restrictions are easing for all NSW residents.
Masks and QR codes
- Masks will only be required on public transport and planes, at airports, and for indoors front-of-house hospitality staff who are not fully vaccinated.
- Masks are no longer required in outdoor settings.
- COVID-19 check-ins are only required for hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, gyms, places of worship, funerals or memorial services, personal services (including sex services), pubs, small bars and registered clubs, nightclubs, strip clubs, sex on premises and indoor music festivals with over 1,000 people.
Masks are still strongly encouraged in settings where people cannot social distance.
Visiting family and friends
- There is no longer a limit to the number of visitors in homes.
- No limit to the number of people for outdoor public gatherings.
- All visitors to residents in aged care facilities and disability homes are permitted in line with their policies.
Exercise and recreation
- No person limit in gyms, indoor recreation and sporting facilities.
- Indoor swimming pools are open for all purposes.
- Community sports are permitted for all staff, spectators and participants.
Shopping and personal services
- Non-critical retail reopens to all.
- No person limit for personal services (including hairdressers, spas, beauty and nail salons, tattoo and massage parlours).
- Sex services premises open.
Travel and transport
- Travel between Greater Sydney and regional NSW is permitted for all.
- Carpooling is permitted for all.
- Caravan parks and camping grounds remain open (including for people who are not fully vaccinated).
Events and entertainment
- No person limit for major recreation facilities (including stadiums, theme parks and race courses), subject to 100% of fixed seated capacity.
- No person limit for entertainment facilities (including cinemas and theatres), subject to 100% of fixed seated capacity.
- No person limit for information and education facilities (including art galleries, museums and libraries).
- No person limit for outdoor public gatherings and recreation.
- Music festivals reopen with 20,000 person limit.
- Amusement centres and play centres open to all.
- Proof of vaccination is only required for indoor music festivals with over 1,000 people and cruises with over 100 passengers.
Weddings and religious services
- Places of worship are open to all.
- Weddings are permitted with no person limit, eating and drinking is allowed while standing and dancing is permitted.
- Funerals are permitted with no person limit, and eating and drinking is allowed while standing.
- Singing and dancing indoors is permitted for all.
For the full list of eased restrictions, visit the NSW Government website.