NSW premier accelerates reopening with further restrictions to ease from Monday

Sydney and NSW will reopen faster than planned under revised plans revealed by new Premier Dominic Perrotett today.

The key changes to the Reopening NSW roadmap from this Monday, October 11, are:

• 10 visitors allowed in the home (excluding children under 12)
• Outdoor gatherings increase to 30 (previously 20)
• Weddings and funerals increase to 100 guests (previously 50)
• Indoor swimming pools open for lessons, squad training, laps, and rehab.
• All students will return to school by October 25, with K-1 & year 12 from Oct 18.

The new rules only apply to people who are double vaccinated from October 11.

Here’s what else is changing

The stay-at-home orders also end from Monday and the list of Local Government Areas of concern will end.

People can travel through the Greater Sydney area, but cannot yet visit regional NSW.

The good news is that the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Central Coast are considered part of Greater Sydney

The changes were made at a “crisis cabinet” meeting convened by Premier Dominic Perrottet last night.

Further changes include:

• Major outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with 1 person per 4sqm, capped at 5000 people.
  Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.
• Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with 1 person per 4sqm or 75% fixed seated capacity.
• Schools return sooner

“We are bringing forward all schools to return by the 25th of October. So stage one will be the 18th of October and we’ll be moving the period from November into the 25th of October,” Perrottet said.

“So all school children will return to school by 25 October. That’s great for kids. It’s a major relief for parents and their sanity and I think this is an important decision.”

More changes at 80 per cent vax rate

Wearing a mask indoors will remain in place until NSW hits an 80% double-vaccination rate, while you can have up to 20 visitors at home and up to 50 people will be allowed to gather outdoors, the premier said.

“On the 80 per cent mark, we will be removing the requirement to wear masks in the office,” Perrottet said.

“We’re also increasing outdoor controlled events. That’s ticketed events to 3,000. So today is a great day…this is not over, but to get to 70 per cent is incredibly successful for everybody right across NSW. We’re going to get to 80 per cent very, very shortly as well.”

Up to 3,000 people will be allowed to attend controlled and ticketed outdoor events (previously 500), nightclubs will be permitted to reopen for seated drinking only (no dancing) at 80%.

The changes at 80 per cent will kick in from the Monday after that benchmark is reached.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the common-sense changes would help life return to normal as soon as possible.

“Vaccinations are the key to life returning to normal and the changes today will help family and friends reconnect, get kids back to school and get businesses back up and running sooner,” he said.

“NSW is putting in the hard yards and it’s important people continue to turn out in droves to be vaccinated.”

Regional rules

Newly elected Nationals leader and deputy premier Paul Toole said workers in regional areas who have received one vaccination dose will be permitted to return to their workplace from October 11 and will be given a grace period until November 1 to receive their second dose.

“This move ensures we get businesses in the regions re-open and local economies buzzing again. It’s about ensuring we make this a roadmap that works for everyone,” he said.

You can book an appointment for a Covid-19 vaccine here.

The latest information on Covid-19 rules in NSW is available at nsw.gov.au.

This post originally appeared on Startup Daily. You can read the original here.

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