NSW EVENTS DOUBLE IN SIZE

THE NSW State Government has responded quickly to plummeting COVID-19 community transmission rates, allowing corporate events to host up to 300 attendees from this week - double the previous limit of 150.

The move was approved by the Premier’s Major Events Taskforce, which also allowed increased capacity for NSW entertainment facilities including theatres, cinemas and concert halls.

All corporate event venues must continue to adhere to public health requirements, have COVID-Safe plans in place and adhere to the limit of one person per four square metres.

Entertainment facilities in the state are now able to sell tickets for seated events at 50% of capacity, up to a maximum of 1,000 tickets per session.

The move was welcomed by Tourism Accommodation Australia CEO Michael Johnson, said the ability to have up to 300 people at functions was a boost for larger hotels which have the required capacity.

“We have been pushing hard for this for some time as it provides certainty to companies and organisations looking to book for late this year or early 2021, and lets bigger hotels get some events back on their books,” he said.

“This is especially good news in the lead up to Christmas, and accommodation providers are hopeful many events previously on hold will now get the green light,” Johnson added.

NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, and Tourism, Stuart Ayres, said getting more people into entertainment venues and function centres was “key to re-starting the NSW visitor economy”.