Major changes to restrictions for weddings, schools and community sport in New South Wales have been announced.

Up to 20 people will be allowed onto the dance floor at weddings, provided they are part of the bridal party.

“It’s a case of still being cautious but opening up opportunity for not just the bride and groom but the bride and groom’ parents and any of the other people who make up the bridal party,” NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

It must be same 20 people during the wedding and is not just 20 people at a time.

Mr Hazzard added one of the “single biggest requests to my office as health minister” has been about relaxing restrictions at weddings.

Changes to community sport in NSW were also announced, meaning more than one parent will be able to attend games again ahead of grand finals kicking off.

“We are saying to parents they can have much more freedom in terms of coming to see their children play sport,” Mr Hazzard said.

Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee welcomed the news, saying the changes will come into effect from this weekend.

“We know that the finals start this weekend, this will allow more than two parents to actually go and watch their children play and enjoy the sport and enjoy the time, and it’s a great opportunity to get as close to normal as possible,” Mr Lee said.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell also announced the easing of several restrictions in schools, saying school sport will be “as it existed before the pandemic”.

“We will be opening up inter-school and zone competitions, the only restriction that will remain is that we will not be able to have parents on school sites for school sport when a school day is on.

“That’s just to limit the risk… but if school activities are taking place in community sport venues parents will be able to attend and follow the COVID-safe guidelines,” she said.

Excursions and school camps will also resume in Term 4, and orientation for kindergarten and Year 7 students will also go ahead.

“Year 7 students will be allowed to go on high school sites after the 11th of November when the HSC finishes. For our kindergarten students they will be able to start their orientation programs from the start of Term 4,” Ms Mitchell said.

Up to five people will be allowed to sing in choirs, and there can now be an unlimited number of students in musical ensembles, subject to social distancing.

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