COVID restrictions to ease from 18 February

The easing of COVID restrictions has been brought forward, with density limits and QR codes for most businesses to end tomorrow (18 February), with a further easing of restrictions on 25 February.

Changes from tomorrow, Friday 18 February 2022, include:

• No density limits (previously one person per 2sqm for hospitality venues).
• QR check-ins scrapped apart from nightclubs and music festivals of more than 1,000 people. Hospitals can use their existing systems.
• Singing and dancing permitted at all venues except musical festivals.
• The recommendation to work from home will change and be returned to the employer’s discretion.

And from Friday 25 February 2022:

• Masks will only be mandatory on public transport, planes and indoors at airports, hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, corrections facilities and indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people.
• Masks are encouraged indoor where you cannot safely distance from others and for customer-facing retail staff.
• Singing and dancing is permitted at music festivals.
• Attendees of music festivals of more than 1,000 people must have at least two doses of the COVID vaccine.

NSW Small Business Commissioner Chris Lamont welcomed the announcement and said the easing of restrictions would boost consumer and small business confidence.  

“We very much hope the worst is now behind us and the easing of these restrictions will certainly assist small businesses right across NSW,” Mr Lamont said. 

Read more at NSW COVID rules