Organisers vow COVID-safe restrictions in place for Orange NYE event

Only people with passes will be allowed near the Sydney Harbour fireworks display and police have urged people to celebrate at home on New Year's Eve as six more coronavirus cases have been detected in Sydney and Wollongong.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Tuesday there was growing concern about the coronavirus threat beyond the Northern Beaches to Greater Sydney and regional areas.

The Orange NYE event will feature a series of laser shows.

Light Up Orange organiser Craig McMahon said people had to buy tickets in advance as there were no sales at the gate.

"Those tickets have a staggered entry time so not everyone comes in at once," he said.

"We capture those people's details when they buy the tickets."

Mr McMahon said people would be directed to sit on the oval and observe social distancing.

"It's sit down, there is not seating in the grandstand, it's all in the oval. Sit down on a blanket, bring some camping chairs, whatever you like to do, but everyone has to be seated and practise social distancing."

Mr McMahon said they had reduced the ticket numbers from 4000 to 3000 to comply with COVID rules. He said they were expecting about 2000 people to attend.

He said the event would also be livestreamed to enable those who couldn't get to Wade Park or had COVID-concerns to be able to view it.

"The Light Up Orange YouTube channel is up," he said.

Orange City Council has provided funding for the event.

Mayor Reg Kidd said the crowd limit was well below Wade Park's 8000-people capacity.

"Everything is in place in regards to health regulations and government regulations," he said.

Cr Kidd said the livestream was an important part of the event.

"If you are concerned with anything with COVID you do have options," he said.

Cr Kidd said it was important people observed social distancing rules at all public and private events and venues, including backyard parties.

The police Operation New Year's Eve 2020 Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing, said officers would be enforcing COVID rules across the state.

"New Year's Eve celebrations will look very different this year, so too will the police response. We are urging the community to heed the advice and celebrate locally," he said.

"There will still be significant numbers of officers deployed for Operation New Year's Eve, who will be focused on keeping everyone safe, whether celebrating at an event in the CBD, suburban Sydney or regional NSW."