No Singing, No Dancing - Venue Restrictions Return In Sydney After Increasing COVID-19 Cases

In light of an increasing number of COVID-19 cases linked to Sydney's Northern Beaches, a number of public health orders have been implemented, which sees a restriction of movement and activities not only across the Northern Beaches, but across the greater Sydney region including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong.

As part of the stay at home order for the Northern Beaches, from 5pm Saturday 19 December, entertainment facilities, such as theatres, cinemas, music halls, concert halls and dance halls were closed, while pubs and registered clubs could offer takeaway only.

Restrictions have also been tightened as of today, Monday 21 December, for venues in Greater Sydney, the Central Coast and Wollongong areas. These include:

• Existing capacity requirements of one person per two square metres will be tightened to one person per four square metres in indoor areas
• A maximum of 300 people, subject to the one person per four square metres rule, applies for each separate area of hospitality venues
• Singing and chanting at indoor venues will not be allowed
• Dancefloors will not be permitted, except for weddings, where a maximum of 20 people from the bridal party will be permitted.

This setback comes only three weeks after venue restrictions were eased in NSW.

The outbreak has also lead to other states and territories either closing their borders to those in Greater Sydney or enforcing any travellers from there to enter a mandatory 14 day hotel quarantine. The effect on interstate touring has yet to be seen.