Get Ready: Nightclubs and Festivals Could Be Back Sooner Than We Thought

NSW clubs and festivals could be given the green light from August.

With the coronavirus pandemic forcing people around Australia to practice social distancing, it's safe to say that our social lives have suffered.

For instance, restrictions on the number of mates we can catch up with have been in place for months. While each state has been gradually easing those restrictions, there's still not a whole lot we can actually do with friends while nightclubs and bars are closed, and music festivals cancelled.

Well, New South Wales residents, we've got some exciting news for you.

Yesterday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed more changes to COVID-19 restrictions across the state. Addressing the media, the Premier said they're planning to scrap the 50 people per venue rule.

This means that nightclubs, bars and music festivals are likely to resume in NSW from August.

Although, there'll be a 20 person limit on the dancefloor. But we know you're confident enough to bust out a few moves anyway.

Opening up nightclubs and festivals from August is definitely sooner than we'd anticipated, especially considering it was reported that festivals wouldn't go ahead until a coronavirus vaccine had been created.

From Wednesday 1 July, the 50-person limit will be replaced by a one-person per four-square-metre rule, which means weddings and funerals will also be able to go ahead with no set capacity.

Of course, these changes will only happen if community transmission of coronavirus remains low in NSW.

The announcement comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that crowds of up to 10,000 people could attend sporting events and festivals, in venues that allowed seating. However, he highlighted that people still need to practice social distancing.

"It would have to be a large, open area. There would need to be seats at the appropriate distance. It would need to be ticketed, so people would be able to understand who was in attendance at that event," Mr Morrison said.

In saying that, Splendour in the Grass has been postponed to July 2021, so it's not entirely clear which festivals will go ahead if restrictions continue to be eased.

Regardless, it's time to start planning your clubbing outfits.