Here is the NSW government's "road map" outlining rules which will come into effect for vaccinated people on the Monday after the state reaches a 70 per cent double vaccination rate for adults.
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The government says the plan is subject to further fine-tuning and health advice if circumstances change drastically or if cases in a designated area remain too high.
The state is expected to hit the vaccination target around October 20, meaning the new rules would take effect from Monday, October 25.
The rules will apply to people who have received two doses of a vaccine and those with medical exemptions.
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 four square metres inside and one person per two square metres outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
Retail stores can reopen under the one person per four square metres rule (unvaccinated people will be limited to shopping at critical retail).
Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per four square metres, capped at five clients per premises.
Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per four square metres 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 four square metres, 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 one person per four square metres or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
Weddings, funerals, 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 four square metres rule, with no singing.
Travel
Domestic travel, including trips to regional NSW, will be permitted.
Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.
Car pooling will be permitted.
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.
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.
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.
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Michael Parris
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
