Most annoying COVID rule scrapped

Earlier this month, a man aged in his 50s from Sydney’s eastern suburbs and his wife became the first locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in NSW in more than a month.It prompted restrictions in Greater Sydney, including a limit of 20 on the number of visitors allowed at a home. Masks also became mandatory on public transport. As well as Sydney, the restrictions took in the Blue Mountains, Illawarra and Central Coast.NSW Health officials admit the source of infection for the man who tested positive is still unknown despite his genomic sequencing matching a US returned traveller who tested positive for COVID-19 while in hotel quarantine.However, after 10 days of no locally acquired cases of COVID-19, the following restrictions were automatically repealed at 12.01am on Monday.No more than 20 people allowed to gather in private homesNo singing or dancing allowed in indoor venues, including places of worship and entertainment venues (the only exception was weddings, where it was recommended no more than 20 be allowed on the dancefloor at a time)Mask wearing mandatory at all public indoor spaces, including public transport, supermarkets, hospitality venues and any indoor eventOnly two visitors allowed for aged care residents and masks had to be wornDrinking while standing up at indoor venues not allowed.“As there has been no further transmission detected in relation to the two locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, the temporary COVID-safe measures in place for the Greater Sydney area will not be extended beyond 12.01am on Monday, May 17,” NSW Health said in a statement on Sunday.“This means limits will be removed on the number of guests allowed to visit private households.“Drinking while standing at indoor venues, group singing indoors, and dancing at nightclubs will again be allowed.“Masks will no longer be compulsory on public transport or for customer-facing staff in hospitality venues; however, NSW Health continues to strongly encourage their use on public transport and in other settings where physical distancing is not possible.”