TravelGuides – NSW’s lockdown will soon lift. What Covid restrictions change after the 70% vaccination milestone? | New South Wales
New South Wales has reached 70% double-dose vaccination coverage of the adult population and, as a result, fully vaccinated residents are just days away from being coming out of lockdown.
The new freedoms will be introduced on Monday and they include being able to gather in each other’s homes, going to restaurants and bars, and the reopening of most retail and service businesses – including barbers and hairdressers.
While this first phase of reopening was initially announced by former premier Gladys Berejiklian at the beginning of September, there have been subsequent changes made to health orders. Some settings have been eased ahead of time, while others have been pushed back until vaccination rates are higher.
Importantly, unvaccinated people are left entirely out of the first wave of freedoms. And unvaccinated residents in some parts of regional NSW currently not in lockdown will be subject to restrictions from Monday.
The new rules apply to anyone over 16. Children under 16 who aren’t yet vaccinated can attend places that have reopened, provided they are accompanied by an adult from their household who is fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated adults with a valid medical exemption will also enjoy the freedoms.
Here are all the freedoms that only fully vaccinated people in NSW are set to gain from Monday 11 October.
Visiting homes is allowed
Up to five visitors will be able to gather inside another person’s home, but all adults who ordinarily live in the household must be fully vaccinated. Children under 12 won’t be counted towards that limit.
Outdoor gatherings increase
Up to 20 people will be allowed to gather outdoors. They will all have to be vaccinated.
Pubs, restaurants and cafes reopen
Hospitality businesses will be allowed to reopen under the one person per 4 sq metres rule indoors, and one person per 2 sq metres for outdoors.
Up to 20 people will be allowed per booking, and people under 16 who are unvaccinated can also attend hospitality venues, but must be accompanied by a fully vaccinated member of their household.
Masks and QR code check ins will still be required indoors, but not in outdoor hospitality settings.
Standing up and drinking inside the pub – known in health bureaucrat speak as “vertical consumption” – will not be allowed until 80% vaccination coverage is reached. But if the venue has an outdoor section, patrons can stand up and drink in that area from 11 October.
Retail shops reopen
Stores can reopen to vaccinated customers only with a capacity limit of one person per 4 sq metres. Masks and QR codes will still be required.
Unvaccinated people will continue to only be able to access critical retail, like supermarkets and pharmacies.
Hairdressers and nail salons reopen
Personal services can open with one person per 4 sq metres, capped at five clients per premises at any one time. When 80% vaccine coverage is reached, the cap will be removed, but the same density limit will apply.
Gyms, outdoor pools and sporting facilities reopen
These facilities can open under the one person per 4 sq metres rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.
However community sport won’t be allowed to restart, and indoor pools will remain closed.
Events and entertainment return
Theme parks, race courses, stadiums and other major recreation facilities will reopen with the one person per 4 sq metres rule, capped at 5,000 people. Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.
Cinemas, theatres, museums and libraries reopen
Entertainment and information facilities will be allowed to reopen, under the one person per 4 sq metres rule and a 75% fixed seating capacity.
More guests for weddings, funerals and places of worship
These services can operate with up to 50 guests, with dancing permitted at weddings and eating and drinking only while seated.
Up to 50 people can attend funerals, with the same eating and drinking rules.
Places of worship will reopen subject to the one person per 4 sq metres rule, with no singing.
Travel outside your LGA
People in Sydney will no longer have to follow the 5km radius rule, and can travel within greater Sydney (including Central Coast, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Blue Mountains).
Residents of regional LGAs can travel to other areas, but cannot enter Sydney for holidays.
Sydneysiders will not be able to travel regionally, after the NSW government pushed back this freedom to the second stage of reopening.
Carpooling will be allowed again, and caravan parks will reopen.
TravelGuides – NSW’s lockdown will soon lift. What Covid restrictions change after the 70% vaccination milestone? | New South Wales