Here’s what you need to know about regional NSW Covid-19 rules this weekend as they impact mask wearing, house guests and more

As Greater Sydney remains in lockdown, regional areas including the Northern Rivers remain under a suite of public health order restrictions.

While Sydney remains in lockdown until July 16, the rest of New South Wales remains under a suite of restrictions.

The lockdown for Greater Sydney has been extended for a week, but what does this mean for regional and rural New South Wales?

The rest of the state is still under other restrictions at least until the extended lockdown ends at 11.59pm on Friday, July 16.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has this morning announced those lockdown rules would be tightened.

Heading into the weekend, here’s what those in regional NSW should know.

• FACE MASKS: For all of New South Wales, face masks are still required in all indoor non-residential premises like shops and cafes (unless you’re eating or drinking).
• SCHOOLS: Students will return to school from Monday. See full details for parents here.
• VISITING QUEENSLAND? You’ll need to fill out separate border declarations for your entry to Queensland (this is valid for 14 days) and your entry back into New South Wales.
• VISITORS: Up to five people can visit a household at any given time. Residents of the home aren’t included in this number. A greater number of people can visit at different times in one day, so long as there are not more than five at the same time.
• ESSENTIAL VISITORS: Some people aren’t counted in the five visitors permitted in homes. These include people working at the home, helping in an emergency situation, providing care, people fulfilling parenting arrangements, helping a person to move home. Groups viewing or inspecting a property for sale, or participating in an auction, are also excluded from this restriction. Likewise, those avoiding injury or illness are exempt.
• VENUE CAPACITIES: Premises can host “the greater of” 25 people, or the number that can safely fit under the one person per four square metre rule.
  This capacity limit does not apply to your home, major outdoor venues, entertainment facilities like cinemas, commercial activities on boats, caravan parks and campgrounds.
• THEATRES, CINEMAS, MUSIC VENUES: These venues have a capacity of 50 per cent, or one person per square metres (whichever number is greater). Face masks are required.
• STADIUMS, SHOWGROUNDS, THEME PARKS, RACECOURSES: These venues have a capacity of 50 per cent, or one person per square metres (whichever number is greater).
• GYMS: Up to 20 people can visit a gym at any one time.
  Group activities like yoga or dance classes have the same limit.
  In a gym or class, you must wear a face mask.
• SINGING: You can sing in the shower (and at home generally), but not if you’re in the audience at an event. Singing in non-residential indoor premises is fine if you’re performing or rehearsing, if it’s at an educational facility, or during a singing lesson.
• DANCING: To dance in a venue, you need to be part of a wedding bridal party (of no more than 20 people). Dancing isn’t allowed in hospitality venues or nightclubs.
• DRINKING: Inside venues, you must be seated while consuming alcohol.
• WEDDINGS, FUNERALS: These events and memorial services will require a Covid-19 safety plan. If anyone subject to stay at home rules attends, no more than 100 people can attend.
• WORSHIP: Churches and other places of worship need a Covid-19 safety plan. Up to five people can sing in a place of worship but they must wear a face mask, stay at least 1.5 metres apart and remain 3 metres from the congregation.
• WANT TO VISIT SYDNEY? The state government has said you shouldn’t, unless you have a reasonable excuse (such reasons are defined here).
• The stay at home direction still applies to people who live in, usually work in, or usually attend university or another tertiary education facility in Greater Sydney, as well as the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas until at least 11:59pm on Friday, July 16.