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Two new COVID cases in NSW, churches next to secure eased restrictions
By Kate Aubusson and Mary Ward
NSW has recorded two new locally acquired COVID-19 cases and three cases in hotel quarantine as the state government flags relaxing rules for places of worship.
The two local cases are linked to known cases or clusters in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday. Meanwhile, Victoria may have just recorded its first day of zero cases in months.
One newly diagnosed person is a household contact of someone linked to the Liverpool private clinic cluster, which now has a total of 12 cases.
The other new case is a close contact of a COVID-positive person linked to someone who attended a childcare centre at Oran Park.
A total of 7401 tests were carried out in the last 24-hour reporting period, a slight increase in the 6952 reported the previous day.
The NSW government hopes to announce relaxed rules for places of worship soon, after the founder of the Hillsong megachurch questioned why he was only allowed to have 100 people at a service as restrictions eased.
Speaking to Ben Fordham on 2GB, Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres said he had seen criticism tweeted by Hillsong pastor Brian Houston on Monday, complaining that indoor weddings would be allowed 300 guests from December while his church with seats for 4000 was restricted to 100 attendees.
Mr Ayres said the state government was "acutely aware of" the position of religious organisations and hoped to announce new rules soon.
"We are working with the religious organisations at the moment and we are hoping we will get close to this one very soon," he said.
Health authorities have previously eased restrictions for churches after other places such as hospitality venues, citing difficulties with making ceremonial activities COVID-safe.
A total of 7401 tests were carried out in the last 24-hour reporting period, a slight increase.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
People in NSW will be able to book restaurants for groups of 30 and gather outside in groups of the same size under new eased restrictions announced by the state government on Monday.
Weddings will be allowed to have 300 guests from December 1, with the same venue capacity introduced for corporate functions this week.
Previously, wedding attendees were capped at 100. The four-square-metre rule for indoor venues remains in place.
"That gives people plenty of time to plan for their wedding," Mr Ayres said, possibly not understanding the usual timeline for organising a wedding.
NSW Health is treating 64 COVID-19 cases, with one patient in intensive care who is not on a ventilator. Ninety-four per cent of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.
Victorian authorities initially reported two COVID cases but reclassified one and the lone case left may be removed from the tally.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has explained that the health department is investigating whether the case is active or still "shedding" the virus from a previous infection.
"I would just say when you look at these numbers, this could potentially be a day of zero and it's been a long time since we had a day of zero and it's a testament to the hard work of every single Victorian in the city, in the suburbs, in regional communities, large and small," Mr Andrews said.
"We are well placed this weekend to be able to make very significant announcements about a further step to opening."