TRAVEL bans will remain in place for Greater Sydney until NSW reaches the 80 per cent double vaccination mark, expected in late October, weeks after it was first thought the restriction would be lifted.
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Premier Gladys Berejiklian had previously said that travel restrictions would be lifted when the state hit the 70 per cent mark.
While people from regional and rural NSW will still be permitted to travel the Monday after the state hits 70 per cent, which is still looking like October 11. But residents of Greater Sydney - which will once again include the Central Coast, as well as the Blue Mountains and Shellharbour - will not be able to travel.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro announced the change on Monday, saying it was needed to give some regional areas more time to boost vaccination rates. Health authorities provided further details clarifying the change on Tuesday after some confusion as to how the travel ban would affect regions - previously reported as a statewide travel ban.
When the state reaches the 70 per cent double-vaxed point, other 'freedoms' from COVID-19 restrictions will 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.
It is expected the state will reach the 80 per cent double-vaxed rate two weeks later, at which point travel restrictions will also be lifted for Sydney siders and those from areas included within Greater Sydney.
From the Monday after NSW hits the 80 per cent, those who are fully vaccinated to have up to 10 people visit their home, participate in community sport, and access hospitality venues (where drinking while standing up will be allowed indoors). All premises will operate at 1 person per 4sqm indoors, and 1 person per 2sqm outdoors.
Further freedoms are then expected at stage 3 of the State Government's 'blueprint for freedom' on December 1, when 92 per cent of the adult population is expected to be double-dosed - the 4sqm rule will be relaxed to 2sqm, people will not need to wear masks indoors - except for hospitality staff and people using public transport.
Gabriel Fowler
Community health & welfare, social justice, investigations, general news. Gabriel.Fowler@newcastleherald.com.au
Community health & welfare, social justice, investigations, general news. Gabriel.Fowler@newcastleherald.com.au
