NSW hits 70 per cent double dose vaccination milestone and easing restrictions from Monday

mode1 mode1 Oct 7, 2021 05:14 1365 0

New South Wales has officially reached a major vaccine milestone in the state’s mission to reopen with 70% double dose target and restrictions will officially begin to ease on Monday (11) as scheduled.

The target is believed to have been met just after 5pm on Wednesday. It comes as the state’s COVID cases have begun to fall, with 594 infections reported.

The 70 per cent double dose milestone was set as the trigger for the state to move into phase 1 one of eased restrictions including the scrapping of the travel limit on exercise and the reopening of pubs and restaurants.

The state’s new premier Dominic Perrottet revealed late on Wednesday afternoon that 70 per cent of residents over the age of 16 are now fully vaccinated.

Mr Perrottet stressed that Thursday was a day of celebration.

“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,” he said.

“If we continue to work together, if we continue to make the effort and make the sacrifices that we have all been making, NSW will be open again and that ensures we get back to work and get businesses open and get the economy and society back to where it was before this pandemic began.”

Customer Services Minister Victor Dominello also took to Facebook to celebrate the milestone outlining what freedoms will be returned to Sydneysiders.

“From Monday, 11 October, significant changes to the public health orders mean residents can leave their LGA and experience greater freedoms,” he said.

New Premier has made some last minute changes to road map following a late-night meeting and Deputy Premier Paul Toole, Minister for Jobs and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres, Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell faced the media on this (Thursday) morning to make an announcement regarding vaccination rates and the Reopening Roadmap.

According to new changes, from Monday, indoor swimming pools – which were set to remain closed until December 1 – will be open for “rehabilitation, children’s swimming lessons, organised lap swimming and the like”.

Home visitations will be doubled to allow 10 visitors – not including kids under 12 – instead of five, and the number of people allowed to attend outdoor gatherings will be increased from 20 to 30.

From the Monday, under the reopening NSW roadmap at 70 per cent double-dose, the following freedoms will apply only to fully vaccinated adults and those with medical exemptions:

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
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.
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.
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.