SEVERAL current NSW COVID-19 restrictions are set to be eased over the next week following an announcement from the state government today.

The rule changes will be in two stages, with the first set coming into effect from tomorrow (Friday 18 February) and the rest from Friday 25 February.

From tomorrow, density limits will no longer apply and QR check-ins will only be required for nightclubs and large outdoor events with more than 1000 people like music festivals. Hospitals, aged and disability facility facilities will still be required to also record visitors, but may use their existing systems.

Also from tomorrow, work from home recommendations may be left to each employer's own discretion while singing and dancing will be once again permitted at all venues except music festivals.

From next Friday, however, this exception will be removed, as will the 20,000 person cap on music festivals, although double vaccination requirements will remain for indoor festivals with over 1000 people.

One of the biggest changes next week will be around mask wearing, with masks only mandated on public transport, planes, and indoors at airports, hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, corrections facilities, and indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people.

Masks will still be encouraged for indoor settings where social distancing is impossible as well as for customer-facing retail staff.

Announcing these eased restrictions, among others, earlier today, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the government wanted to make sure their approach remained flexible and measured to continue protecting the community and health system.

“We don’t want restrictions in place for any longer than necessary and with hospitalisation and ICU rates trending downwards now is the right time to make sensible changes,” Mr Perrottet said.

“As we continue to move forward out of the pandemic we are ensuring that we keep people safe and people in jobs so life can return to normal as quickly and safely as possible.”

In the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD), up to 4pm yesterday (Wednesday 16 February), there were 19 people in hospital and one person in intensive care.

In addition, there were 167 positive PCR test results and 253 positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) results identified in the LHD, including locations across the Western Plains.

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the new changes would really benefit regional communities which were already welcoming back urban visitors with open arms.

“This measured response will reinvigorate our regional communities, with country shows, festivals, and other major events able to return bigger than ever,” Mr Toole said.

Despite the easing of restrictions, the government said everyone still had an individual responsibility to protect each other, including protecting themselves through vaccination and following the latest health advice.

“As we are moving more into the endemic stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, these changes are giving us more of our old life back but it still makes a lot of sense for us all to be cautious,” Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

“The best outcome is still to avoid getting the virus by protecting yourself, your family, and the broader community.”