By Mike CrooksThursday 9 Sep 2021NewsReading Time: 3 minutes
NSW residents have finally glimpsed a light at the end of the lockdown tunnel.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced today that once NSW has passed the 70 per cent double vaccination target, the current stay-at-home orders will be lifted for adults who have received both COVID-19 vaccination doses.
Dubbed the “Roadmap to freedom” by the NSW Government, the plan reveals the new restrictions will come in to effect on the Monday after the 70 per cent target is reached.
At present, just over 42 per cent of NSW adults are fully vaccinated, with more than 75 per cent having received their first dose.
The Premier said that NSW is “well on the way” to hitting its 70 per cent target.
“I cannot stress enough how important it is for people to get vaccinated,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“If you have not had both doses of the vaccine by the time we hit the 70 per cent milestone, you will not be able to take advantage of these freedoms.”
New freedoms
Once the 70 per cent target is reached, fully vaccinated residents will be allowed to have up to five fully vaccinated visitors in their home (not including children 12 and under).
And up to 20 fully vaccinated people will be permitted to gather outdoors.
“Our roadmap outlines the freedoms that twice vaccinated people will enjoy once we reach 70 per cent double dose,” Deputy Premier John Barilaro said.
“Which means a meal with loved ones or a drink with friends is just around the corner.”
The plan is subject to change if circumstances “change drastically”, according to a NSW Government statement. Or, if cases within a designated area remain too high.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the Government may still require targeted restrictions to deal with outbreaks.
“As we work toward reopening NSW, it is vital people continue to come forward and get vaccinated to help protect the community and reduce transmission of the virus,” he said.
As NSW strives towards the 70 per cent mark, here are some of the freedoms fully vaccinated people can look forward to – keeping in mind, all indoor venues must adhere to the one person per 4sqm rule.
As NSW reopens, all indoor venues must adhere to the one person per 4sqm rule
Church services
If you’ve said “I do”, you can, with up to 50 guests, be allowed at weddings.
Funerals can also accommodate 50 people.
Churches and places of worship can open for services (no singing permitted).
Haircuts and pub lunches
- Hospitality venues and retail stores will reopen.
- Hairdressers and nail salons will reopen (capped at five clients per premises).
- Gyms and swimming pools can accept patrons. And exercise classes can be held for up to 20 people.
- Cinemas can reopen (75 percent capacity in theatres).
- Stadiums and major outdoor facilities (racecourses, theme parks) can again open their doors (capped at 5000 people).
- Domestic travel, including trips to regional NSW, can also resume for those double-jabbed.
- Caravan parks can reopen.
- Carpooling will be allowed.
Work
The NSW Government said that employers must continue to allow employees to work from home.
And masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport and retail and business premises.
For the full “Roadmap to freedom” visit here.