Recreation in groups among restrictions eased in NSW from Monday

Several rules have been eased across NSW today with the state’s vaccination rates climbing, but what you can do depends on where you live.

Several restrictions have eased across NSW today, including picnics for those living outside the 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of concern.

The restrictions being eased are in response to the state’s soaring vaccination rates, which in the coming days will reach 80 per cent of adults having at least one dose.

Here are the new rules.

GREATER SYDNEY

Fully vaccinated adults who live outside Sydney’s LGAs of concern are now allowed to gather in groups of five people for outdoor recreation like picnics and that limit does not include kids under the age of 12.

The adults in those groups need to be able to show proof they are double vaccinated.

For unvaccinated adults, only two people can get together for outdoor recreation.

Sydneysiders enjoying warm weather at Clovelly Beach. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

There are no time limits but gatherings have to occur in public and not at a person’s house.

All the existing distance rules still apply, including that all people must live within 5km of where the recreation is taking place.

LGAs OF CONCERN

Inside Sydney’s 12 LGAs of concern, different rules apply.

The 12 LGAs are: Bayside, Burwood, Strathfield, Georges River, Parramatta, Campbelltown, Blacktown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Liverpool and some suburbs of Penrith.

If you and members of your household are over the age of 16 and fully vaccinated, you can all leave home for outdoor recreation for up to two hours, including picnics.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian provides a Covid-19 update in Sydney: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

A curfew of 9pm to 5am and the 5km travel limit still apply.

The recreation is in addition to the time allowed for outdoor exercise.

Those who live alone in the LGAs can gather for outdoor recreation with another adult.

MASKS

Across Greater Sydney residents must carry a face mask every time they leave the house.

REGIONAL NSW

It comes as parts of regional NSW came out of lockdown at 12.01am on Saturday morning.

Those areas included Albury, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Lismore, Byron Bay, Griffith and the MidCoast Council.

Cafes, pubs, hair salons and tourist parks were reopened to have guests indoors.

The changes come after the state government held its final daily Covid-19 press conference on Sunday where 1262 cases were announced.