Newcastle residents took no time reacquainting themselves with the city's cafes and parks, albeit in limited numbers, after months of enforced lockdown.
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From Newcastle Beach to the Islington Park, crowds of people shrugged off the COVID-19 restrictions and made the most of an irresistible Sunday morning
While many cafes stuck to takeaway only service, the ones that opted for the 10 person customer limit did a roaring trade.
"People are booking for an hour at a time; it's working really well so far," manager of Good Friends at the Junction Crystal Fagan said.
"We've also had a few walk-ins but we have had to turn them away."
Among the cafe's customers was Peta who was enjoying brunch for the first time in several months.
"It's quite relaxed; the food is wonderful and it's nice to see people enjoying themselves in cafes," she said.
"The staff are doing a great job keeping everything clean."
Sophie Findlay and Max Cougle chose Estabar cafe opposite Newcastle Beach for their first cafe breakfast since March.
"It's great to see people getting out and about again but there doesn't seem to be a lot of social distancing," Ms Findlay said.
"We need to be careful. The last thing we want is for the virus to spike."
Estabar owner Bec Bowie said she was delighted by the response to the easing of restrictions.
"Today has been amazing; it's the busiest we have been for months, " she said.
"We have a really nice balance of people who want to sit in the park and those who want to sit inside.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard has urged NSW residents to remember social distancing practices as they relished their first weekend outside in months.
"I am concerned people have had that 'bust out' mentality, but haven't thought through the consequences," he said.
"This virus is extremely dangerous...we should not be holding a false sense of security because of the way Australia and its citizenry has managed it."
He said he had observed people failing to observe 1.5m distancing at hospitality venues but that did not believe police needed to become more heavy handed.
"I don't think there is any need to see police doing anything other than what they are doing.I think our community is mature enough and sensible enough."
Mr Hazzard also let fly on two unidentified people who attended a dinner party while one of them was showing symptoms.
The pair, referred to simply as "runny nose couple," were a reminder not to leave the house if showing even the slightest symptoms.
Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
