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New NSW roadmap revealed: Date unvaccinated granted freedoms

  • Lowest daily Covid cases for a month

  • When unvaccinated get freedoms

  • What people can do at 80 per cent vaccinated

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced a three-stage roadmap out of Covid lockdown including when freedoms will be granted to unvaccinated people.

It comes as the state's daily new Covid-19 cases dropped to 787, the lowest rate for a month, and the number of people over 16 receiving at least one dose of vaccine passed 85 per cent.

The state also reported 12 deaths, four people were in their 60s, two people were in their 70s, four people were in their 80s, and two people were in their 90s.

A plan for what life will look like once 80 per cent of the state has been vaccinated has been revealed. Source: AAP
A plan for what life will look like once 80 per cent of the state has been vaccinated has been revealed. Source: AAP

The first stage of reopening will come at 70 per cent of 16 years and over being fully vaccinated, expected as early as October 11.

The second stage is expected about two weeks later when the 80 per cent fully vaccinated mark is hit.

Not until December 1, will the third stage of reopening commence, when unvaccinated people get to participate in freedoms that vaccinated residents will participate in weeks earlier.

"That is at least four or five weeks after we hit the 80 per cent double dose. We envisage we will have at least 90 per cent of our adult population vaccinated by then," the Premier said.

However, unvaccinated residents will have to wait a little longer before seeing restrictions ease.

“The unvaccinated will be very disappointed in the Government’s decision today,” Ms Berejiklian said.

When 80 per cent of NSW's eligible population (those over 16) are vaccinated, additional relaxed restrictions will include the return of community sport, regional travel and standing up to have a drink in venues.

NSW will be at a 'Covid-normal' by December 1

The Premier urged people not to think of October 11 as a "freedom day", but a "staged reopening to getting back to normal."

"But there is no doubt that for those of us who are fully vaccinated at the 70 per cent double dose, life will feel so much better, life will feel like getting back to normal, and obviously a number of things kick in at 80 per cent."

"At 80 per cent you will be able to go anywhere freely in NSW," Ms Berejiklian said on Monday.

Over 85 per cent of NSW have received their first Covid-19 vaccination.

"We are literally just a few weeks away from having that 70 per cent double dose, and 12 to 15-year-olds already 40 per cent have received their first dose, which is fantastic," the Premier said on Monday.

The Premier says the state will be 'Covid normal' by the beginning of December, however until then restrictions will remain in place for unvaccinated people.

"We believe by 1 December we will be at that Covid normal state where, hopefully, we will be booking our international travel once the PM gives that green light, we will be able to go overseas as well."

NSW roadmap at 70 per cent (predicted for October 11)

Ms Berejiklian announced the state's proposed freedom plan at 70 per cent fully vaccinated in August, which included hospitality venues to reopen for outdoor dining with strict capacity limits for fully vaccinated patrons, as well as face-to-face learning to resume in Term 4 in schools.

The 70 per cent fully vaccine rate mark is likely to be met mid-next week.

The Premier also announced a change in regional travel, explaining it will not be permitted until 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated. Previously it was slated to begin at 70 per cent.

NSW roadmap at 80 per cent (possibly October 25)

Gatherings at home and public outdoor spaces:

  • Up to 10 visitors in a home (not including children 12 and under)

  • Up to 20 people can gather outdoor settings

  • Up to 500 people can attend controlled and ticketed and seated events

  • Community sport permitted

  • Those who are not fully vaccinated can only gather outdoors in groups of 2 people

Venues, including hospitality, retail stores and gyms

  • Retail stores can open at one person per 4sqm for vaccination customers

  • Unvaccinated customers must continue to click and collect

  • Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty and tattoo parlors can operate with one person per 4sqm (uncapped)

  • Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with the requirement to be seated while drinking indoors removed

  • Group booking limited to 20 people, those who are not fully vaccinated can only access hospitality venues for takeaway

  • Gym and indoor recreation facilities (excluding outdoor pools) can operate with one person per 4sqm, capped at 20 people per class

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian delivering a Covid-19 update.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed new freedoms for NSW residents, including unvaccinated residents.

Education

  • School to return October 25 with Covid-safe measures

Weddings, funerals and places of worship

  • One person per 4sqm (uncapped) for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing

  • Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend weddings with a maximum of 5 guests (no reception)

Travel

  • Unrestricted trips between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW will be permitted

  • Caravan parks and camping grounds can operate, including for those who are not fully vaccinated

  • Carpooling is permitted, those who are not fully vaccinated can only carpool with their household

Masks

  • Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor premises and settings, except for children under 12

  • Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask while outdoors

Entertainment, information and education facilities

  • Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate at one person per 4sqm or capped at 5,000 people (or by exemption)

  • Cinemas, theatres, music halls can operate at 75 per cent fixed seated capacity

  • Libraries, galleries and museums can operate with one person per 4sqm

  • Amusement parks and nightclubs will remain closed

Changes from December 1 for all NSW residents

Gathering in the home and outdoor public spaces

  • No limit to the number of visitors to a home

  • Density will move from one person per 2sqm for indoor and outdoor settings

  • No limit on the number who can attend informal indoor and outdoor gatherings

  • Community sport permitted for all people

  • Covid safe plan required for outdoor events with more than 1,000 people

Hospitality, retail stores and gyms

  • Retail stores can operate at one person per 2sqm

  • Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage can operate with one person per 2sqm

Plan to boost vaccination rates in regional areas

Ms Berejiklian said on Sunday the delay in allowing ­regional holidays was to ­make sure Sydney had their restrictions eased together and to boost vaccination rates in the regions before Sydneysiders could visit.

“We want all of Greater Sydney to be able to have access to the regions at the same time and therefore we need to pick the best time for that to occur,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“I do want to foreshadow that could very well be 80 per cent,” she said.

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