NSW’s COVID-19 restrictions easing What you can do on ‘Freedom Day’ now we’ve hit 70 per cent
New South Wales has officially reached the key vaccine milestone of 70 per cent fully vaccinated, triggering the state’s reopening from COVID-19 lockdowns.
Newly-sworn Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on social media that the state had hit 70 per cent, giving the green light to restrictions easing from October 11.
This means NSW residents are just hours away from being allowed to visit family, go to the pub, strip off their masks (outside) and get back to the gym.
Here’s what we know about the roadmap so far:
When is NSW’s lockdown ending? What date and time?
NSW’s lockdown is officially ending on Monday October 11.
The state government has not set an official time in any of its communications.
This means as of 12.01am on October 11, NSW is no longer officially in lockdown.
What if we have another outbreak? Are lockdowns over for good?
No, lockdowns are not ruled out forever.
When she delivered the plan, Ms Berejiklian stressed that if there were to be a surge or outbreak of cases then easing restrictions may be delayed, or lockdowns may be brought back in.
It’s unlikely that the new Premier Dominic Perrottet will deviate from this methodology, however he has indicated that he may make minor tweaks to the reopening blueprint.
What if you’ve had one dose? Do you still get freedoms?
No.
The easing of restrictions only apply to fully vaccinated NSW residents and those with medical exemptions.
However, regional workers who have had one dose of the vaccine can go to their jobs as of Monday, with a “grace period” until November 1 to get the second.
Deputy Premier Stuart Ayres said this acknowledged that some regions had only had a limited supply of vaccines.
Regional areas are those outside Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Central Coast.
Can I go visit my family?
Yes.
Once NSW hits a rate of 70 per cent double vaccinated, yes, you can visit your family.
From Monday, up to 10 visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not including children aged 12 and under).
Under the new guidelines, up to 30 people can gather in outdoor settings.
Only fully vaccinated people can visit.
Will the shops be open in NSW?
Yes.
Once the vaccination rate hits 70 per cent double-dosed, retail stores can reopen under the one person per four square metres rule (indoors).
Unvaccinated people – or people who have had one dose – will only be able to access critical retail.
Personal services such as hairdressers, spas, beauty salons, tattoo and massage parlours and nail salons will open with maximum customer limits of five people at any one time.
Will the pubs and restaurants be opened?
Yes.
Once the vaccination rate hits 70 per cent double-dosed, hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per four square metres inside and one person per two square metres outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
A maximum of 20 people are allowed per booking.
For those who are unvaccinated, they are only allowed to access takeaway.
What about the gym? Can I go to my gym?
Yes.
Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per four-square-metre rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.
Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.
Everyone who attends must be fully vaccinated.
Indoor swimming pools will also re-open for rehabilitation, children’s swimming lessons, and organised lap swimming.
Can I go to the hairdresser?
Yes.
Again following the vaccination rate, personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per four square metres, capped at five clients per premises.
What about weddings and funerals?
The previously-announced limits on people attending weddings and funerals has doubled.
From Monday, up to 100 guests will be allowed to attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking permitted only while sitting.
Up to 100 guests will be allowed to attend funerals, with the same eating and drinking rules as weddings.
All attendees will have to be vaccinated.
What about churches? Will my church be allowed to open?
Yes.
Churches and places of worship can open with a rule of one person for every four square metres. However, no singing will be allowed except by performers, and there will be a 10-person cap on choirs.
All performers must be fully vaccinated.
Can I travel? How far can I travel?
Residents in Greater Sydney cannot travel to regional LGAs and vice versa.
Travel between two regional LGAs is allowed.
Caravan Parks and camping grounds reopen.
The five-kilometre radius for residents is scrapped – but Sydneysiders must not leave Sydney.
What about travelling interstate?
Probably not.
NSW can only govern its own borders, and it will be the first state in the country to hit a full vaccination rate of 70 per cent.
The rules on which state you are allowed to travel to will depend on the government rules set by your destination.
What about the office? Will we still be working at home?
For office workers, even once the rate hits 70 per cent employers must continue to allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so.
Will the footy reopen for crowds? What about theatres and zoos?
Yes.
Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per four square metres, capped at 5000 people.
Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.
Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per four square metres or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
What about masks? Will I still need to wear a mask?
Once the rate hits 70 per cent fully vaccinated, masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.
You won’t need to wear a mask outside.
What about my kids who are aged under 16, but aren’t vaccinated?
Once the rate hits 70 per cent, non-vaccinated young people aged under 16 will be able to access all outdoor settings but will only be able to visit indoor venues with members of their household.
Key roadmap changes announced on October 7
All roadmap freedoms at 70 per cent and 80 per cent will continue to be for fully vaccinated people only
Changes to 70 per cent roadmap (Monday, October 11)
- up to 10 visitors (not counting children 12 and under) to a home (previously five)
- the cap on outdoor gatherings lifted to 30 people (previously 20)
- increase the cap for weddings and funerals to 100 people (previously 50)
- indoor pools will be re-opened for swimming lessons, squad training, lap swimming, and rehab activities
Changes to the 80 per cent roadmap (First Monday after 80 per cent milestone reached)
- people able to have up to 20 visitors (excluding children 12 and under) to a home (previously 10)
- up to 50 people will be allowed to gather outdoors (previously 20)
- up to 3,000 people will be allowed to attend controlled and ticketed outdoor events (previously 500)
- nightclubs will be permitted to reopen for seated drinking only (no dancing)
- masks will no longer be required in office buildings
Schools
- All school students will return to on site learning with a range of COVID-safe measures in place by October 25
- Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 students will still return to face-to-face learning on October 18
Regional
- workers in regional areas who have received one vaccination dose will be permitted to return to their workplace from October 11 and will be given a grace period until November 1 to receive their second dose. Regional areas are those outside Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Central Coast.
