Q & A: what you can and can't do from today

Changes to some of the COVID-19 restrictions will be eased from Friday, May 15. Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF CHANGES
* Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people allowed
* Cafes and restaurants can seat 10 patrons at any one time and continue to provide takeaway services
* Up to 5 visitors may visit another household at any one time, including children
* Weddings can have up to 10 guests plus the celebrant and couple
* Indoor funerals can have up to 20 mourners and outdoor funerals up to 30
* Religious gatherings and places of worship can have up to 10 worshippers
* Outdoor playground and exercise equipment can be used with caution
* Outdoor pools will be open with restrictions

SPECIFIC DETAILS ABOUT NEW CHANGES
Are there any limits to how many visitors you can have over per day?
There is no daily limit to visitors to a home so long as you don’t have more than 5 visitors at any one time. If you are over 70 or have a pre-existing medical condition, you should limit the number of visitors and take care at all times.
Does the 5 visitors include children?
Yes, it is 5 visitors in total including children.
Do the 5 visitors need to be from same household?
No. You can have guests from any household so long as it does not exceed 5 visitors in total.
Can I have 10 people visit my home if we are outdoors?
No. An outdoor gathering means a gathering in a park or public place, where you can now gather with up to 10 people. In your home you can only have up to 5 visitors.
Does the public gathering rule about 10 people include children?
Yes. 10 people in total may gather in a public place outdoors.
What does a public gathering of 10 mean? What can I do that I couldn’t do before?
You will now be able to be outdoors in a public place with up to 10 people in total. This could be to exercise or a family picnic. It’s up to you as long as no more than 10 people are gathering together. Even within the gathering, you must exercise good social distancing.
Can I train outdoors with up to 10 people?
Yes. Remember to maintain physical distancing. Get tested and stay home if you are unwell.
Can I have a picnic?
Yes, so long as it is with up to 10 people total. Remember to maintain physical distancing and get tested and stay home if you are unwell.
What are the rules for cafes and restaurants?
Cafes and restaurants can have up to 10 patrons seated at any one time and can continue to provide take away. They must also continue to apply the 4sqm rules and patrons who are not members of the same household must exercise 1.5m in social distancing.
What are the rules about using outdoor equipment?
You can use outdoor exercise and playground equipment, but do so with caution.
Wash your hands before and after you use this equipment. Assume the person who has used the equipment before you has the virus. Do not go out if you’re sick and maintain physical distancing.
Remember that the public gathering rule of no more than 10 still applies.
What are the restrictions on outdoor pools?
Outdoor pools can operate but can have no more than 10 people at a time and no more than one person per lane. Change areas will also remain closed.
When will the next round of restrictions be eased?
This decision will always be based on data and the best available health advice. NSW will monitor the impacts of the latest round of eased restrictions.
Do businesses have to open?
Each business can make decisions about what makes the most sense for them in light of the most recent easing of restrictions. It is up to the business.
Will there be police enforcement/penalties for people who do not follow the rules?
Yes. It is extremely important that we all stay vigilant and maintain the rules around physical distancing. We cannot afford to be complacent. NSW Police will continue to work with the community to help maintain the gains we have made together.
 

TRAVEL
Is local and regional travel allowed for holidays and recreation in NSW?
No. NSW is not yet ready to allow regional travel and holidays.
It is important that as restrictions are eased we take precautions to prevent outbreaks in our regional and rural communities and so holidays and recreational travel are not allowed at this time. We will update the community when this changes.
Can I travel for work?
Yes. You can travel for work in NSW. There is no limit on the distance you can travel for work. We advise not to catch public transport in the peak.
Is there a limit on how far you are allowed to travel to visit another person? Could someone from Sydney travel to regional NSW?
There is no limit on the distance that a person may travel to visit another household, so long you are not exceeding the maximum number of people allowed to visit another home. Travelling for the purpose of a holiday is not allowed.
Are you allowed to stay the night at someone’s home?
An overnight stay as part of a visit to someone’s house is allowed. However, travelling for holidays in NSW is not allowed.
Does NSW have border restrictions?
No. However, NSW residents must still comply with border restrictions imposed by other states and territories if they wish to travel outside of NSW

WHY ARE THESE CHANGES BEING MADE?
NSW can only do this following the hard work and sacrifice of our community. We have now reduced the number of cases to a manageable level and used this time to increase our ability to deal with more intensive care cases.

DOES THIS MEAN IT'S NOW BUSINESS AS USUAL?
We are at this point because everybody has followed health advice about physical distancing, hand hygiene and staying home when sick. In order to stay on top of the virus, we can’t let down our guard.

DO THESE CHANGES APPLY TO EVERYONE?
Yes, but you should not leave your home if you have even the mildest symptoms such as tiredness, runny nose or a sore throat. You should also have a conversation with the people you are spending time with to ensure they do not have symptoms.
Everyone must continue to practise physical distancing and good hand hygiene.
Why hasn’t NSW adopted all of the changes under Step 1 of the Commonwealth Government’s framework?
Every state has its own circumstances and must be able to move at its own pace. NSW will consider other changes when it is safe to do so - based on the data and best available health advice. This advice will be based on testing, tracing and tracking cases and using technology such as the COVIDSafe app.
What is the advice for people visiting those over 70 or people with a pre-existing condition?
Extra care should be taken when visiting those over 70 or those with a pre-existing condition. Maintain a physical distance of more than 1.5m wherever possible and consider using the available outdoor areas such as the backyard or veranda when
visiting someone’s home. Above all, do not visit even if you have the mildest symptoms.