Treating yourself with the best wines this New Year just got even more exciting with Sydney’s lock-out laws being rested for revelers who will be thronging Sydney for New Year celebrations. More than a million merrymakers are expected to pack Sydney streets and in order to steer clear from a gridlock situation, the controversial lock-out law will be lifted. Thus, party-goers and pub-hitters won’t be turned away after 1:30 a.m. although the 3 a.m. cease alcohol rule and other special requirements are to be followed by venues and will remain in effect.

According to Sky News, the Office Of Liquor, Gaming & Racing (OLGR) has followed in 2014’s footsteps. Hence, Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD) and Kings Cross clubs and pubs cannot drive people away past 1:30 a.m. though they will stop serving alcohol after 3 a.m. The midnight curfew on transport bringing revelers into the CBD will apply from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

Read Lockout laws helped cut booze-related injury cases in Australia.

“Removal of the lock-out on New Year's Eve is a one-off annual exception that is in place due to the unique circumstances. New Year's Eve is unique because the main event around which celebrations are focused occurs at and after midnight,” said OLGR acting executive director Samantha Torres in the media release, reports 9News.com.au.

Thus, New Year revelers can breathe easy and enjoy a rare evening of less restrictive entertainment, writes The Music. About one million people will be hitting the CBD and surrounding areas on New Year’s Eve to welcome 2016. To avoid a total Sydney lockdown and to minimise crowding of taxi ranks, public transport stations and streets, the lock-out has been lifted.

“On no other occasion do we see such high volumes of people concentrated in the CBD precinct seeking access to venues at a time that coincides with the lockout,” Torres added.

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