STATE OF UNLOCKING: NSW will start to ease covid restrictions from October 11 - what you need to know

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has set dates for the state’s roadmap to reopening, confirming October 11 as when the first restrictions will begin to ease.

The announcement came as double doses hit 60% today, with 70% expected to be reached in early October.

With the long weekend looming, Berejiklian urged everyone to behave cautiously over the coming fortnight to ensure NSW meets its targets.“We don’t want to have major super spreading events or see at the last hurdle that we have a huge surge in cases. We’ve come so far – let’s not give up at the last hurdle and let’s continue to protect life and livelihoods,” Berejiklian said.“We are literally just a few weeks away from having that 70% double dose.”

Once the 70% target is reached fully vaccinated people will be able to have five visitors in their houses, some businesses will reopen and the 4 square metre rule will apply.

From today, Monday 27 September, all construction sites in Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains and Wollongong, can resume with 100% of workers on site adhering to 1 person per 4 square metres. This includes sites in the LGAs of concern. pic.twitter.com/84BiO89Ybp

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) September 27, 2021

Roadmap to reopening

The premier confirmed the time between reaching 70% double vaccination and 80% double dose vaccinations was likely to be as little as two weeks.

“Pleasingly we have officially passed the 85% first dose vaccination in New South Wales which is just outstanding, and we are looking forward obviously to seeing that number continue,” Berejiklian said.

More restrictions ease when NSW hits 80% double vax target

From the Monday after NSW hits the 80% (aged 16 and over) double dose vaccination target, eased restrictions will allow those who are fully vaccinated to have up to 10 people visit their home, participation in community sport will resume, and access to hospitality venues will be expanded with drinking while standing allowed indoors. All premises will operate at 1 person per 4sqm indoors, and 1 person per 2sqm outdoors.

Regional travel will also resume at 80% double dose vaccinations.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the 80% roadmap will also remove the limit of fully vaccinated guests for weddings and funerals, and remove customer caps for personal services such as hairdressers.

“I know people are counting down the minutes until we reach 70% double dose and the freedoms that will provide, and today we are providing further certainty by announcing the 80% roadmap and future settings,” Berejiklian said.

Vaccination numbers key to success pathway

“Vaccination remains our ticket to freedom so we need to work even harder to get jabs in arms, to help stop the spread, minimise outbreaks and ensure people are protected when we open up.”

The premier said a third stage of reopening has been set for December 1, when it’s expected the state will have reached 90 per cent double-dose vaccination.

The news comes as the state records its lowest case numbers in a month with 705 new cases reported today.

NSW recorded 787 new locally acquired cases of #COVID19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. pic.twitter.com/8Qkdwzp9qA

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) September 27, 2021

Stage three reopening December 1

The premier also confirmed the NSW Government is considering changes to incoming international arrival caps, so more people can return home for Christmas.

From 1 December further changes will be introduced including all venues moving to the 2sqm rule, masks will not be required indoors at offices, indoor pools and nightclubs can reopen, and unvaccinated people will have greater freedoms.

Can businesses restrict trade to unvaccinated?

The premier said some businesses had already indicated that they don’t want to accept unvaccinated patrons – and the premier suggested many businesses already had the right to refuse service but existing health orders provide more certainty for businesses that wish to do so.

The premier stressed that while living with COVID won’t be easy – she suggested it is manageable if you do it properly.

“I hope NSW will show the way to the rest of the nation what is possible. We believe that by December 1 we will be at that COVID normal stat. and I hope that Australia will be able to open together so we can move freely in our country.”