Coronavirus NSW: 50 people allowed in cafes, restaurants, clubs
NSW residents can soon head back to the gym and book a nail appointment with the deputy premier revealing when we can expect more restrictions to ease. It follows an announcement that 50 people can attend restaurants and cafes
NSW Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Why easing COVID-19 restrictions will keep hurting NSW cafes
- Peak danger: Stay off buses and trains at these times
Gyms, beauty salons and yoga studios will be reopened “in the next month or so” in more good news for NSW following an announcement restaurants and cafes will be able to seat 50 customers from June 1.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro made the comments about gyms and beauty salons on 2GB this afternoon, telling Ben Fordham the restrictions will be eased long before September.
“We’re still working on all of those but we’re not talking September, no way in the world,” Mr Barilaro said.
“We’re looking at all these restrictions coming off in the next month or so”.
Mr Barilaro said the government was working with industry leaders on concerns surrounding infected surfaces but said he “would hope” the restrictions are lifted by the end of July.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a 50 person limit on restaurants, pubs and clubs on Friday afternoon, a major increase from the current 10 person limit.
Patrons must be seated in the venue and will have to provide their contact details before dining.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the ease in restrictions is aimed at kickstarting the economy.
“The decision has been made with expert health advice and both businesses and patrons will be subject to strict rules and guidelines,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“No bookings of more than 10 are allowed.”
Health minister Brad Hazzard said increasing the current limit of 10 by five times was safe. “NSW has always led the way and again NSW is leading the way. This virus is still out there, it’s still lurking but … we are moving forward in a cautious way,” he said.
“As we open up our economy we don’t need to open up ourselves to the virus. Just maintain the social distance of the 1.5m, washing your hands like you’ve never done before. It’s time to get out, time to enjoy yourself but also time to be very very cautious.
“We are quite satisfied that what we are doing is the right balance. It will allow the economy to go to a far greater assess but also mental health. This virus is not capable of jumping across more than 1.5m.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro described the change as the state’s “happy hour” and urged residents to ”wine and dine” to help get the hospitality industry back on its feet.
It comes just hours after the state’s COVID-19 death toll once again rose with the death of an elderly woman and three new confirmed cases.
The 80-year-old woman became the 48th person in the state to die from the disease after falling ill as an outpatient at a medical clinic. She passed away in Concord Hospital overnight.
The elderly woman contracted the disease three weeks ago while being treated at an outpatient clinic at Concord Hospital.
She had been staying at the hospital sick with the disease ever since. Dr Chant said it was not known who she caught the disease from – but reassured the community there was no risk of further transmission.
“The exact mechanisms of transmission are unclear but it was from contact with a known case in a clinical setting attached to the hospital,” Dr Chant said.
“She has been sick for some time.”
The new death comes as three cases of the virus were detected. NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said it was unclear how the infections emerged – raising concerns new clusters of the disease have emerged.
“They are all under investigation and we are considering they were locally-acquired. There’s no clear-cut linkages between the cases.
“We are undertaking further investigations and will announce further details today in relation to any action we need to take as a community.”
The new infections come as testing rates continue to soar with 8,600 people getting swabbed for the virus.
The state has now hit a milestone, with more than 400,000 people tested for the disease since the outbreak began.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian described high testing rates as “critical” to the state’s success in lifting lockdown measures and has again encouraged people to get tested for the disease and pleaded with anyone who is sick to stay home.
$5 BILLION INFRASTRUCTURE BOOST
The state’s infrastructure sector is set to get a $5b injection with the NSW Government fast-tracking another 24 planning projects to re-open the economy as COVID-19 restrictions lift.
Planning minister Rob Stokes said the new projects are anticipated to generate 15,000 new jobs, 3,600 new homes as well as retail spaces.
“These projects include some big ones like the Sydney Fish Markets, a new hospital in the Tweed and three new schools,” Mr Stokes said.
“This is all about setting a pipeline of projects to set us up for recovery …(We want to) give hope for people now and into the future.”
Mr Stokes said projects were chosen on the basis of how many jobs they create, if they are able to be developed in the next six months and if they provide public and private benefits.
“The Mamre Road project alone creates opportunities for more than 5,250 jobs and it will happen sooner because the NSW Government hasre-allocated planning resources to assess these projects faster,” he said.
“Our first tranche of 24 projects delivered more than 10,000 jobs and $7.7 billion in economic benefit to our State but it’s important to recognise these are just the projects we’ve prioritised.”
The projects include a specialised retail centre at Eastern Creek, a waste recycling facility in Girraween, new public open space in St Peters and an expansion of the Cumberland State Forest.
Premiere Gladys Berejiklian said it was crucial for the government to focus on creating and securing jobs as well as managing the health aspect of the pandemic.
“NSW is streets – and roads and homes and hospitals and schools – ahead of every other State in providing new jobs, economic growth, infrastructure and services for our people,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This health crisis only sharpens our focus and energy as we bring forward the NSW Government’s unprecedented infrastructure spend and create an environment where private and government investment combine to help us rebound from the pandemic together.”
Ms Berejiklian confirmed that her ministers would not get a pay rise in the 2020 financial year.
“90 per cent of the people who are not employed by the state government have had a very, verydifficult time. Given that’s what’s going on at the moment it’s only appropriate for us as elected officials to empathise,” she said.