WITH new freedoms for NSW residents from Friday amid easing restrictions, the premier has warned that easing restrictions has failed in other countries.
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With cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs now open to a restricted numbers of diners, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there will be more activity across the state.
"Some may have already started enjoying the new freedoms that come with easing restrictions today [Friday], but that also comes with personal responsibility," she said.
"Easing restrictions have failed in so many places around the world, I don't want that to fail in NSW.
"I want all of us to take personal responsibility in the way in which we respond to the restrictions. Let's please do our part in keeping everybody safe so that all of us can keep moving forward so that we never ever go backwards."
Ms Berejiklian also urged people to stay away from public transport during peak hour.
"If you're not already on the bus or train in the morning, do not catch public transport in the peak," she urged.
"We know overseas public transport unfortunately was the main reason why the disease spread."
Ms Berejiklian said the easing of further restrictions in NSW would be up to residents to respect the current guidelines.
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"If we all do good social distancing, if we all appreciate that even if we're waiting in a queue or catching up with friends or loved ones that we maintain that social distance," she said.
"That will be part of our lives until there's a vaccine or a cure."
When asked on Friday if mass gatherings may once again be allowed for events such as a football gathering in a stadium within the next year, Ms Berejiklian said she could not predict what would happen in the next month let alone the next year.
"Large gatherings are the biggest risk to people getting the virus at this stage and that's why it's important for us to move in steps forward," she said.
Ms Berejiklian also acknowledged that the massive, widespread job losses announced on Thursday was heartbreaking and the focus had to be on "getting the jobs back".
"It broke my heart yesterday to think about the 221,000 people in our state that lost their jobs in April," she said.
"That's 221,000 individuals of families that have to worry about the mortgage or the rent or about kids school fees and we don't want to see more of that, in fact we want to try and reverse the trend, but again that comes to all of us doing the right thing."
Other changes coming into effect from Friday, May 15:
- Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people
- Cafes and restaurants can seat 10 patrons
- Up to 5 visitors to a household at any one time
- Weddings up to 10 guests
- Indoor funerals up to 20 mourners, outdoor funerals up to 30
- Religious gatherings/places of worship up to 10 worshippers
- Use of outdoor equipment with caution
- Outdoor pools open with restrictions
Eight new COVID-19 cases have been detected in the past 24 hours from more than 12,200 test across NSW.