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Coronavirus NSW: New restrictions for weddings, funerals and public venues

NSW has recorded just eight new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hour period in a promising result as the state looks to squash a virus outbreak.

Only two of those new cases are those in hotel quarantine with the other six occurring through community transmission.

There has also been five additional cases since 9pm Thursday night, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters this morning.

It’s a promising result but authorities will remain on high alert.

“So while we are encouraged by the numbers of people coming forward and getting tested, while we are encouraged by the great detective work our health officials are doing, we remain in a state of high alert,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Our general message to everybody in New South Wales is that we are doing OK but we are on high alert, we are very concerned. We are worried about any seeding that might have happened in Victoria, even a month or so ago that has been bubbling along beneath the surface.”

NSW in introduces new restrictions of venues and events like weddings and funerals. Source:: AAP
NSW in introduces new restrictions of venues and events like weddings and funerals. Source:: AAP

Of the six new cases announced from the previous 24 hour period, two cases are from unknown sources.

Of the five new cases since 9pm last night (which will be officially included in tomorrow’s figures), three of those are linked to the Crossroads Hotel cluster but are people who did not attend the venue. That takes the total number of cases linked to Casula to 42.

In order to stay on top of the outbreak, NSW has reintroduced restrictions on public gatherings and large events.

No singing or mingling at weddings, events

New pub restrictions came into effect at midnight which limit the size of group bookings to 10 people. This morning, the NSW Premier said those restrictions will be applied to all hospitality venues from Friday next week.

New restrictions will be applied to weddings and funerals as well, putting a cap of 150 guests at weddings and strict controls on behaviour including no dancing, no singing and advice that guests must remain seated.

“For weddings and corporate events, the maximum number is 150, but again, completely seated, no dancing, no singing, no mingling,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“And please know that whether it's a cafe, a restaurant or club, a or a wedding, everybody indoors is subjected to the four square metre rule.”

Wedding guests will be required to remain seated, and not mingle or sing. Source: Getty
Wedding guests will be required to remain seated, and not mingle or sing. Source: Getty

Meanwhile for funerals, only 100 guests will be able to attend.

“Now, for funerals and places of worship, and we appreciate that this is a very difficult consideration for many families and communities, but for funerals and places of worship we are limiting that to 100.”

Police will be “stepping up their efforts” and dropping in unannounced to events including weddings and funerals to police the return of restrictions.

“We don’t apologise for that,” the Premier said.

You are still allowed to have a maximum of 20 people in your home, and that is unlikely to change in the immediate future.

Ms Berejiklian conceded that the new rules for weddings would mean many people choose to postpone their event.

The tightening of restrictions is designed to ensure community transmission does not get out of control as NSW authorites watch on at the rising caseload in Victoria.

“We have to assume, based on what has happened in Victoria, based on the numbers that we are seeing an New South Wales and based on the great detective work our health officials are doing, we have to assume there is a level of community transmission and these measures will reduce the risk of that community transmission getting out of control,” Ms Berejiklian said.

For residents in areas where cases have been detected, “you need to act immediately,” she said in urging the public to get tested.

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