The New South Wales Government has announced the 50-person limit in indoor venues will lift from 1 July.
However, venues including cafes, restaurants and bars must continue to implement the one person per four square metre rule, which will determine the number of patrons allowed.
“All venues which currently have upper limit restrictions will have no restrictions as long as those businesses comply to strict social distancing guidelines and the checklist that has been outlined through Service New South Wales,” said Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Customers will also need to remain seated. “All the activity in the hospitality venues needs to continue to be seated to make sure everybody is safe,” said the Premier.
Nightclubs will remain closed, however grants for new liquor licences in the Sydney CBD will now be considered for the first time in years.
“These changes will kick-start a new era in Sydney’s 24-hour economy,” said Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello.
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has welcomed the news, but called for further change.
“The liquor freeze is one of a number of outdated restrictions still in place from another era. The NTIA has been calling for its removal since the NSW Government Music and Arts Economy inquiry in 2018,” said NTIA Chair Michael Rodriguez.
“The after effects of COVID are going to be felt most acutely in the nation’s CBDs for a number of reasons.
“We would encourage the NSW Government to continue to think boldly about Sydney’s future nightlife. And that must include the removal of the lockout laws which are still in place in Kings Cross.”
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