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Hospitality venues in Greater Sydney will have reason to celebrate on Friday, 12 February, when the two square rule is expected to be introduced.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian says unless there are any "unexpected outbreaks" before then, restaurants, bars and places of worship will move from the current restrictions which limit their venue capacity to one person per four square metres.
The planned easing of social distancing restrictions comes after the state recorded 17 days without any cases of COVID-19 from community transmissions, with 12,000 tests recorded overnight.
There were just two new cases recorded from overseas visitors in hotel quarantine.
Berejiklian foreshadowed the easing of some restrictions last week in Greater Sydney, Wollongong, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains, and says today's announcement is aimed at providing certainty for businesses.
"We are considering reviewing our mask wearing policy in view of the position NSW is in," Berejiklian says
"Mandatory masks on public transport will continue. We feel this gives assurance for people to get about their daily business.
"If there's no evidence of community transmission, we would recommend or revert back to previous mask wearing policy but that's yet to be determined.
"So, whether it's a hospitality worker or a place of worship, you still need to wear a mask until at least next week when we consider that position."
Mask wearing also remains in place for hospitality workers facing the public in gaming rooms and beauty salons.
The NSW Government last week increased the limits to private gatherings to 30 indoors and 50 outdoors, while also allowing up to 300 guests at weddings and funerals based on the 4 square metre rule.
Updated at 12.18pm AEDT on 3 February 2021.
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