-
NSW ROADMAP TO FREEDOM UNVEILED FOR THE FULLY VACCINATED
Stay-at-home orders for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be lifted from the Monday after NSW passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target, under the roadmap to freedom released yesterday.
The roadmap is subject to further fine-tuning and health advice if circumstances change drastically or if cases within a designated area remain too high.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW was well on the way to hitting the 70 per cent double dose milestone which would allow the state to open for those who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“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,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government had worked with industry to design the roadmap.
“Our roadmap outlines the freedoms that twice vaccinated people will enjoy once we reach 70 per cent double dose which means a meal with loved ones or a drink with friends is just around the corner,” Mr Barilaro said.
Only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will have access to the freedoms allowed under the Reopening NSW roadmap.
The freedoms for vaccinated adults will come into effect on the Monday after NSW hits the 70 per cent double dose target and include:
Gatherings in the home and public spaces:
- Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not including children 12 and under)
- Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.
Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:
- Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside
- Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule (unvaccinated people will continue to only be able to access critical retail)
- Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises
- Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people
- Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.
Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:
- Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 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 one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
Weddings, funerals and places of worship:
- Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated
- Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated
- Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.
Travel:
- Domestic travel, including trips to regional NSW, will be permitted Caravan parks and camping grounds can open Carpooling will be 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.
- Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so.
- There will be revised guidance on isolation for close and casual contacts who are fully vaccinated, with details to be provided closer to the reopening date.
Masks:
- Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports
- Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors
- Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.
When NSW hits the 80 per cent double dose target, the government intends to open up further freedoms around international travel, community sport, major events and other areas.
Information about current proof of vaccination is available online.
For information about vaccination or to book an appointment, go to NSW.gov.au.
Industry stakeholders have responded positively to the roadmap. Tourism and Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said: “Celebrating Christmas with family and friends and taking the annual summer holiday is now a reality. We applaud the NSW Government for sticking to intent of the national strategy to ease covid restrictions once vaccination targets have been met. This will provide a lifeline for our industry which has been losing tens of billions of dollars since COVID-19 emerged.”
NSW Tourism Industry Council Executive Manager Greg Binskin said: “The news that restaurants, cafes, pubs, attractions, experiences and public events will be able to operate is a shot in the arm for those frontline businesses facing the consumers and those operating in the diverse supply chain of produce, goods and services that sustain them. Now is the time for business owners to review COVID-19 Safety Plans and get ready to reopen the visitor economy before our peak holiday season begins.”
-
0 Replies
Sorry, there were no replies found.
Log in to reply.