Restrictions on gyms and community sport lifted in one state
In the coming weeks, NSW will ease coronavirus restrictions for gyms, fitness centres, studios and community sport.
From June 13, gymnasiums, fitness centres and yoga and dance studios will be allowed to reopen, giving the businesses a few weeks notice.
The news comes after NSW relaxed coronavirus restrictions yesterday.
“That will be capped at 10 people per class, maximum of 100 per venue,” Deputy Premier John Barilaro said at a press conference on Tuesday.
“That will give them the ability to make sure they get some level of scale. More importantly, they can conduct their businesses.”
He added indoor swimming pools and sauna will be allowed to reopen, “with some level of restrictions”.
Mr Barilaro also announced massage parlours and tattoo studios are slated to open on June 13, with ten clients allowed at any one time.
On July 1, the state will also ease restrictions on community sport.
“On top of that on 1 July we're also announcing that we will be lifting the restrictions on community sport, firstly for those 18 years and under,” Mr Barilaro told reporters.
“In other words, junior sport and kids' sport will be open and for us, that's important again to get some level of normality as we enter the winter.”
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NSW sports minister Geoff Lee said he was “thrilled” with the news.
“I can't wait to get to the gym, guys,” he said.
“Thousands of kids can return to community sport July 1, so important, so important not only for the mental wellbeing but for their physical fitness,” Mr Lee said.
“It's a great step forward.”
Mr Lee encouraged sporting clubs to organise with local councils to book facilities, “activate volunteers” and “excite the kids” in anticipation of restarting community sport.
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Mr Barilaro and Mr Lee were joined by NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, who said the state recorded six new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, adding the six were people returning from overseas.
Mr Hazzard said the reopening of businesses will mean there is more movement within communities, and added he will observe how the reopening of businesses and venues will impact transmission rates.
“I'm sure the community - having been through what they have been through in the last four months - don't want to see an outbreak in transmission in Australia,” he said.
Mr Hazzard added it is “wise to be careful” as the state gradually reopens as the coronavirus is still within the community.
“Social distancing is still so important. The four square metre rule is important,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Make sure you download the COVIDSafe app. You're out and about. If something happens, we need to know where you've been and who you've been close to.”
Mr Hazzard added NSW health authorities are working with each of the industries to prepare a checklist which will outline how to reopen in the “safest way possible” for the community.
“It won't be exactly like it was but it sure as heck is going to be as close as possible in a COVID-19 environment,” he said.
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