Up to 300 guests are now allowed at corporate events in New South Wales, as the state government eases more COVID-19 restrictions.

The Premier’s Major Events Taskforce has agreed to double the current 150-person limit, provided venues have COVID-safe plans and adhere to the four square metre rule.

Entertainment facilities including theatres, cinemas and concert halls will also be able to host ticketed, seated events at 50 per cent of capacity, to a maximum of 1000 people.

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said getting more people into entertainment and function venues is key to restarting the NSW visitor economy.

“Function centres will now be able to host up to whichever is the lesser of 300 people or one person per four square metres for a corporate event,” he said.

“It’s vitally important for the business community to get back on its feet by being able to collaborate and share ideas in person once again.

“This will help people get back to work and back to doing more of the things they love to do in NSW as our COVID-19 recovery plan continues to take shape.”

Welcome news for hotels

Tourism Accommodation Australia NSW CEO Michael Johnson welcomed the move, saying it will provide a much-needed boost for hotels with large conference facilities.

“We have been pushing hard for this for some time, as it provides certainty to companies and organisations looking to book for late this year or early 2021 and lets bigger hotels get some events back on their books,” he said.

“This is especially good news in the lead up to Christmas and accommodation providers are hopeful many events previously on hold will now get the green light.

“Hotels have been hard hit and the ability to once again do larger events will drive more revenue and help bring back jobs in the events and conferencing areas in particular.”

Read out up-to-date guide to event restrictions here.