NSW reopening roadmap announced: first restrictions to ease on October 11

The premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced the state’s roadmap to reopening, confirming October 11 will be the date that the first restrictions will ease across NSW with double doses hitting 60 per cent today and 70 per cent 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.

“We are literally just a few weeks away from having that 70 per cent double dose.” Berejiklian said.

Once the 70 per cent 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.

Roadmap to reopening for NSW

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

“Pleasingly we have officially passed the 85 per cent 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 per cent double vax target

From the Monday after NSW hits the 80 per cent (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 per cent double dose vaccinations.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the 80 per cent 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 per cent double dose and the freedoms that will provide, and today we are providing further certainty by announcing the 80 per cent 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.

Stage three of NSW reopening planned for 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.”

This post first appeared on Kochie’s Business Builders, you can read the original here.

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