Controller David Manning issued 12 new measures under the National Pandemic Act 2020 which eases a number of restrictions imposed over the last six weeks to contain the pandemic.
The notable changes are in Control Measure 9 relating to ‘Business and Social Measures’ which have been eased to allow for the re-opening of larger church congregations around the country so people can worship as communities.
He said from May 13 the size of congregations in churches will be able to increase to 100 alongside everyone practicing safe physical distancing.
As per the new measures issued today, all businesses, social venues, markets, shopping centres, schools, educational institutions, and places of worship must comply with the Niupela Pasin guidelines for the duration of the pandemic.
The measures issued today are:
· An immediate ban is placed on gatherings of over 10 people;
· Venues or parts of venues must immediately close for the duration of the pandemic that provide night club and pub activities and services or sell and supply alcohol for consumption on the premises without food consumption except restaurants;
· Venues or parts of venues that operate a restaurant or for food consumption on premises may operate subject to all persons on entry and exit from venues must wash their hands with soap or hand sanitizer and follow all other hygiene standards as issued by the Controller;
· Venues or parts of venues that provide bookmaker (gambling) activities and services must close until 20 May 2021, at which point they may re-open if they ensure strict adherence to the COVID-19 safety guidelines issued by the Controller in relation to operating a gambling activity and service;
· Subject to the above paragraph, all other venues or parts of venues that provide gambling activities may re-open if they ensure adherence to the COVID-19 safety guidelines issued by the Controller in relation to operating a gambling activity and service;
· No licensed premises shall sell takeaway alcohol on Friday, Saturday or Sunday except restaurants who may continue to serve alcohol as regulated by their liquor licence;
· No club, recreational or professional sporting matches shall be allowed to play, except for recreational sporting games of no more than four persons, except as exempted by the Controller;
· All schools, educational institutions, markets and shopping centres must comply with the physical distancing requirements and safe and hygienic practices as issued by the controller including physical distancing of at least 1.5 meters between each person and all persons on entry and exit the market must wash their hands with soap or hand sanitizer;
· Religious activities may continue to operate, but adhere to the following restrictions including a maximum of 100 people per religious activity and strict observance of all COVID-19 protocols; and
· Limitations to only 100 persons per funeral or haus krais.
These measures come into effect on May 13, 2021, and shall apply until the end of the declaration of the pandemic under the National Pandemic Act 2020 or as varied by the Controller.
