26 September 2023

Double vaccination a ticket to freedom

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Stay-at-home orders for adults who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are to be lifted from the Monday after NSW passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target according to the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian.

The Premier said the Reopening NSW roadmap would be subject to further fine-tuning and health advice if circumstances changed drastically, or if cases within a designated area remained too high.

“We are well on the way to hitting the 70 per cent double dose milestone, which will allow the State to open up for those who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is for people to get vaccinated – 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,” she said.

“Only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will have access to the freedoms allowed under the Reopening NSW roadmap.”

Ms Berejiklian said freedoms for the fully vaccinated would include having up to five visitors in their homes; outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people; the reopening of hospitality venues and retail stores, subject to one person per 4 sqm inside and one person per 2 sqm outside; and the reopening of sporting facilities including swimming pools.

The Premier said personal services, such as hairdressers and nail salons, could open with one person per 4 sqm, capped at five clients per premises, and gyms and indoor recreation facilities could open under the 4 sqm rule and would be able to offer classes for up to 20 people.

She said major recreation outdoor facilities could reopen under the 4 sqm rule, capped at 5,000 people; up to 500 people could attend ticketed and seated outdoor events; and indoor entertainment and information facilities could reopen under the 4 sqm rule or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.

Ms Berejiklian said weddings and funerals would be able to go ahead with up to 50 guests and places of worship would be able to open subject to the 4 sqm rule.

She said domestic travel would also resume with caravan parks and camping grounds able to reopen and carpooling permitted.

“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,” she said.

“Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so.”

Ms Berejiklian said revised guidance on isolation for close and casual contacts who were fully vaccinated would come into effect, with details to be provided closer to the reopening date.

She said masks would remain mandatory for all indoor public venues.

According to the media, NSW is on track to reach the 70 per cent target in the week starting 11 October.

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