All the NSW Covid restrictions easing on December 15

Covid restrictions including mask rules and QR code check-ins have eased across NSW in a major way. See what you can and cannot do.

Sydneysiders can take their masks off and forget about QR check ins at thousands of venues from today, as Covid restrictions ease in a major way.

But while December 15 has long been marked in the diary as the day the unvaccinated regain freedoms, not all venues will be welcoming them back with some pubs and clubs delaying their return for a month to see how it all plays out.

NSW Covid restrictions easing on December 15

MASKS

Masks are no longer required in shops and will only be required on public transport, planes, at airports, and for waiters in restaurants and cafes who are not fully vaccinated.

DENSITY LIMITS

The 2 sqm rule will be scrapped in cafes and restaurants.

Density limits will also be removed for seated major events, music festivals with up to 20,000 people, as well as private events like weddings and funerals.

Everyone will be allowed to dance, sing, and eat and drink standing up in any venue at any event.

QR CHECK-INS

They will only be required at high-risk venues including hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, gyms, places of worship, funerals or memorial services, personal services including hairdressers and beauty salons.

VACCINATION STATUS

Proof of vaccination will no longer be required for most activities including visiting restaurants, shops and friends’ homes but may be restricted by vaccination rules set by individual businesses.

Singing and dancing and visiting museums is allowed for everyone but proof of vaccination is required for indoor music festivals with more than 1000 people and cruises with more than 100 passengers.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

International travellers who are not fully vaccinated still need to quarantine on arrival for 14 days. 

The two-week isolation requirement for arrivals from eight African nations have now been scrapped. Anyone travelling from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi would still have to isolate on arrival for 72 hours, return a negative Covid test on day one and day six and avoid "high risk" settings.

As they went about their Christmas shopping in the CBD, friends Hannah Cook and Coco White said they were excited about the prospect of being able to ditch their masks.

However the pair admitted the rise in case numbers over recent days did bring with it some added anxiety.

“I think I am (going to go without a mask). There’s pros and cons for both but it will be good to finally have them off, or for it to at least be my choice,” Ms White said.

“I just got a text from my manager saying we don’t have to ask for vax certificates and we don’t have to wear a mask, so I probably won’t wear one if I don’t have to,” Ms Cook, who works in retail in Paddington, said.

Coco White (L) and Hannah Giddy are excited for restrictions to ease in NSW on Wednesday. Picture: Adam Yip

The Coogee Legion Club has decided to still only allow in vaccinated patrons. Picture: Tim Hunter

“But cases have jumped, so that’s the only thing that’ll probably make me a bit more hesitant not to have a mask, knowing they may not be vaccinated at all.”

The return of the unvaccinated to venues has left some feeling uneasy.

It is why a number of pubs and clubs, including Forestville RSL, Dee Why RSL, Panthers Penrith, Coogee Diggers, Coogee Legion Club, Wentworth Leagues, Mosman Club, Beach Club Collaroy, Balgowlah RSL and Long Reef Golf Club have opted to continue allowing only fully vaccinated punters in for the time being.

“We were getting quite a bit of feedback from members and staff that there was quite a bit of concern, and when you start to get that level of feedback you’d be silly to ignore it,” Forestville RSL CEO Ian Thomson said.

“So we sat down as a management team and as a board, and thought this was the right step and the right thing to do but we also said if it changes markedly between now and then, for the positive, we’ll review it.”