MESSAGE TO MINISTERS, HOME MISSIONARIES, SESSION CLERKS, TREASURERS, COM SECRETARIES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
IN THE GREATER SYDNEY REGION (INCLUDING WOLLONGONG, CENTRAL COAST AND BLUE MOUNTAINS)
Dear all,
I am relieved to advise that the NSW Premier has announced the following easing of restrictions across the Greater Sydney region:
The following measures will be effective from 12:01am Friday, 12 February for the Greater Sydney region including Wollongong, Central Coast and Blue Mountains:
- 1 person per 2 square metres will apply at all venues, except for gyms. Weddings and funerals will still be subject to a 300 person cap.
- Masks will only be mandatory on public transport, but will strongly be encouraged in other indoor venues where social distancing is not possible.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this is about striking the balance between keeping the economy going and boosting jobs whilst ensuring COVID-19 is kept under control.
“We want to continue to give the community and businesses the confidence to move forward, especially with the expansion of the 2 square metres rule which will allow most venues to double their capacity,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“However, as we ease restrictions it is important we don’t let our guard down – the community needs to continue to play their role in being COVID Safe and coming forward for testing with even the mildest of symptoms.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said restrictions could be eased thanks to the great work of the people of NSW who have followed social distancing guidelines and continued to get tested.
“It is vital people continue to maintain their social distance, come forward for testing, don’t go to work if they’re unwell and wear a mask where they cannot guarantee social distancing,” Mr Hazzard said.
Dr Kerry Chant said we cannot become complacent when it comes to COVID-19 despite there being no recent cases of community transmission.
“We need to continue to practice COVID-Safe behaviours and stay home and get tested if unwell,” Dr Chant said.
This is very welcome news in all places of worship in the Greater Sydney region.
We await clarity of all other restrictions, including singing, and will send a further Update as soon as we know more.
At the moment, however, we have not been advised of any change to singing, which to date has applied to all places of worship across New South Wales and been limited to:
- no more than 5 singers performing together indoors
- all singers facing forward and not towards each other
- there being a space of 1.5 metres between performers
- there being a space of 5 metres between performers and other people including the conductor and the audience.
We will follow up NSW Health to clarify singing and advise as soon as possible.
We are currently not aware of any other changes to all other COVID-19 restrictions or public health orders.
Please note that this change relates only to churches in New South Wales, and our colleagues in the ACT will need to continue to refer to ACT Government Public Health directions.
Please do not hesitate to contact us in Church Offices should you have any questions or require assistance in interpreting the restrictions to your local circumstances.
Kind regards,
Jeoffrey R Falls
General Manager | Chief Executive Officer