two deaths weddings are back on and 1035 new cases everything you need to know about the coronavirus crisis in nsw
NSW has recorded 1,035 new Covid cases and two deaths in the past 24 hours, following the latest figures released by the NSW Health Minister on Saturday.
Two women aged in their 70s and 80s died in Sydney hospitals overnight.
The younger woman, from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District in Sydney's west, had received both doses of the vaccine but had underlying health conditions, while the other was unvaccinated.
She died at Westmead Hospital.
NSW recorded 1,035 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 on Saturday - despite high vaccination numbers (pictured, a woman wearing a face mask in Sydney)
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard praised residents in NSW for high vaccination numbers - he also announced weddings can again be staged from September 3
There have been 83 Covid-19 related deaths in NSW since June 16 last year. There have been 139 in total since the start of the pandemic.
The worrying surge in cases in NSW came after 156,165 people came forward to get vaccinated on Friday - the highest ever daily vaccination rate number.
There are now 778 patients with Covid being treated in hospital, 125 of those are in intensive care and 52 require ventilation.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard did provide some welcome good news - given the significant numbers of people getting the jab, Covid restrictions on weddings in NSW are set to be eased from 12:01am on Friday September 3.
'We have to be able to allow people who want to get married to get married,' he told reporters on Saturday.
'I want people to know that if you do wish to get married, you certainly can as of Friday of this week.'
He added five guests - who won't require to be vaccinated - would be permitted to attend weddings, with other logistics still under review.
Hazzard also said the couple, 'those officiating and perhaps a photographer' wouldn't count as the five allocated guests.
The Health Minister went onto explain why small weddings can be staged next month - but not receptions.
'We cannot allow it at the present time because we have had circumstances where weddings have actually been massive superspreader events,' he said.
'But more importantly, bringing large groups of people, your friends, together right now is dangerous. It is just dangerous.
'So we have found a balance and the balance is obviously the couple can get married with five people present and those who are necessary for the service and I think that's a reasonable balance.'
From September 3, wedding numbers at venues across NSW are set to increase (stock image)
Brad Hazzard added it is about finding the right balance when it comes to weddings in NSW from September 3
Wedding receptions in NSW won't be allowed, as they can be 'massive superspreader events' according to NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard (pictured, a couple married in Sydney in January)
The NSW government is also considering banning patrons from entering pubs and restaurants unless they've had the jab.
Businesses are expected to reopen once 70 per cent of the population has been vaccinated, which could be as early as October.
It is an idea set forward as part of a new proposal by the state government, and talks with leading industry group figures are already under way.
There is a possibility all hospitality staff and patrons will need prove they have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine before entering bars and restaurants.