NSW now has a better idea of what "living with COVID" will look like after Gladys Berejiklian released her government's road map for reopening after lockdown.
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The plan covers what will happen when 70 per cent of "adults" have had two doses of vaccine, which is likely to be around October 19 if the pace of vaccination continues.
The new rules would come into place the following Monday, October 25, and include a range of freedoms only for the fully vaccinated and those with medical exemptions.
If you're not double vaccinated at that point, the Premier's message is clear: Too bad.
"You have been warned," Ms Berejiklian said on Thursday.
The target applies to statewide vaccination, but regions like the Hunter which are likely to be behind the NSW rate will still reopen at the same time.
The road map outlines only what will happen at 70 per cent vaccination.
The government says 80 per cent coverage is likely to trigger more freedoms around international travel, community sport and major events.
It is worth remembering that "adult" vaccination and the definition of "adults" under the road map includes anyone aged 16 and over.
It should also be noted, and the Premier laboured this point on Thursday, that targeted restrictions on vaccinated people will continue or be reintroduced if the case count in a particular area is too high.
The government says it will provide details later on how testing, tracing and isolation will work under the road map.
It is not yet clear whether the joint state and federal JobSaver program, providing fortnightly payments to affected businesses up to 40 per cent of their payroll, will continue after the reopening starts.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said on Thursday that the government also still needed to iron out whether people in locked-down regional areas such as the Hunter would need a permit to travel to freed areas such as Tamworth and Port Macquarie between now and late October.
"There are a couple of little anomalies we're now going to have to consider," he said.
Anyone in a region coming out of lockdown on Saturday will have to get double vaccinated by late October or they will lose their newfound freedoms again when the state opens up.
It is unlikely other states will open their borders to NSW residents until they, too, have reached vaccination targets.
Thursday's announcement does not change the slight relaxation of outdoor gathering rules next week.
From Monday, fully vaccinated adults can gather outside in groups of five.
The pace of vaccination has slowed slightly in recent days, pushing back the estimated 70 per cent date from October 18 to October 19.
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As of Thursday, 43.5 per cent of people aged 16 and over in NSW were fully vaccinated.
Vaccinated adults will use QR codes with their vaccination status digitally attached to enter venues and access shops selling goods not deemed essential.
Here's how the road map will look at 70 per cent vaccination:
GATHERINGS
- Up to five visitors in a home where all adults are vaccinated. Visitor numbers do not include children 12 and under.
- Up to 20 people can gather outdoors.
HOSPITALITY, SHOPS, GYMS
- Hospitality venues can open with one person per four square metres inside and one person per two square metres outside. Standing while drinking will be allowed outside only.
- Shops can open under the one person per four square metres rule.
- Unvaccinated people will be allowed access only to critical retail shops, such as supermarkets.
- 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, with classes capped at 20.
- Sporting facilities, including swimming pools, can open.
STADIUMS, THEATRES, OUTDOOR VENES
- Major outdoor recreation facilities, including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos, can open with one person per four square metres, capped at 5000 people.
- Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.
- Indoor facilities, including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries, can open with one person per four square metres or at 75 per cent of fixed seated capacity.
WEDDINGS, FUNERALS, PLACES OF WORSHIP
- Up to 50 guests can attend weddings and dance, but eating and drinking are permitted only while seated.
- Up to 50 guests can attend funerals. Eating and drinking is permitted while seated.
- Churches and places of worship can open subject to the one person per four square metres rule. No singing.
TRAVEL
- Domestic travel, including trips to regional NSW, are permitted.
- Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.
- Car pooling will be permitted.
- Non-vaccinated people aged under 16 will have access to all outdoor settings but will be able to visit indoor venues only with people from their household.
- Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home, if the employee is able to do so.
MASKS
- Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises and on planes and at airports.
- Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask outdoors.
- Children aged under 12 will not need a mask indoors.
SCHOOL
- Kindergarten and year 1 students return to the classroom on October 25.
- Year 12 students undertaking HSC exams can study on campus from October 25.
- Years 2, 6 and 11 start on November 1.
- All other years resume on November 8.