A revised roadmap from NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is giving the state more freedom from Monday after it hit its first vaccination target.
As NSW becomes the first Australian state to fully vaccinate 70% of its eligible population, the premier has confirmed significant changes to the state’s roadmap out of COVID restrictions at this morning’s press conference.
After months of 5km travel restrictions, residents will once again be able to visit the pub and leave their LGAs from October 11.
From Monday fully vaccinated people are to be given more freedoms, including:
- 10 adults able to gather in homes (previously 5)
- 30 adults allowed to gather in public outdoor spaces (previously 20)
- Indoor pools will reopen
- An increase on the cap for weddings and funerals to 100 people (previously 50)
Perrottet said Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant endorsed the changes to the roadmap:
“I sat down with the Health Minister and Dr Chant yesterday,” he said.
“We went through the opportunities to make some sensible amendments, some stable and steady amendments, to the roadmap and I think the changes today are sensible.”
Other freedoms announced yesterday before the revisions include:
- Hospitality and restaurant venues can reopen subject to one person per 4 sqm inside and one person per 2 sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
- Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4 sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.
However, masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, FOH hospitality, retail, and business premises, as well as on planes and at airports.
We’re moving forward with our staged NSW reopening. A few adjustments to Monday’s 70% relaxations and further easing once we hit 80% double vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/UJtcgvrKZb
— Dom Perrottet (@Dom_Perrottet) October 6, 2021
At 80% (expected to be reached between October 18 to 25) fully vaccinated NSW residents can expect extended freedoms including:
- Face masks not required in office buildings
- Nightclubs to reopen (no dancing)
- 20 adults allowed to gather in homes (previously 10)
- 50 people allowed to gather outdoors (previously 30)
- 3,000 people able to attend ticketed outdoors events (previously 500)
Students in NSW’s lockdown areas will return to full on-site learning at school from October 25, with a range of COVID safety measures to be implemented, including masks remaining mandatory for teachers.
