The New South Wales state government has eased restrictions in a bid to help struggling companies in sectors such as hospitality and construction and to “encourage businesses to keep going”.

NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes introduced the “extraordinary orders” under the Planning Act on Thursday.

Construction sites will now be permitted to operate on weekends and public holidays.

“This means that builders, tradies and their employees will be able to work on construction sites seven days a week during their ordinary hours of operation,” he said.

The government has announced help for workers and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit: AAP

The idea is that extending the hours makes social distancing “easier to achieve”.

“It’ll also help boost productivity in a crucial part of our economy,” he said.

‘Unrestricted operation’

The government has also moved to allow the “unrestricted operation” of so-called “dark kitchens” - which cook meals solely for delivery rather than eat-in diners.

Takeaway food trucks will also be able to operate on any land in the state, provided they have consent from land owners.

Finance and Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope the move “overrides regular development approval processes for food trucks that specify when and where they can operate”.

In the video above: NSW coronavirus cases up by 116

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“These are small but important changes that will provide flexibility during these challenging times,” he said.

Stokes said the orders were designed to “help keep people in work and also help keep our community safe”.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in NSW has reached 2,298, with 116 new cases recorded by 8pm on Wednesday, while the state’s death toll sits at 10.

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NSW recorded its first COVID-19 death outside of Sydney on Wednesday when a 67-year-old patient died at Orange Base Hospital.

Five of the state’s deaths were residents who lived at the Dorothy Henderson Lodge nursing home in Macquarie Park.