New South Wales has officially reached its 70 percent double dose vaccine threshold, meaning fully vaccinated residents will be able to enjoy a range of new freedoms from Monday October 11.

Under the roadmap for easing of restrictions, which was unveiled by former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, retails stores, hairdressers and hospitality venues will reopen to fully vaccinated residents and the 5km travel limit will be scrapped.

Under new amendments to the plan made by Premier Dominic Perrottet this week, restrictions on indoor gatherings will eased, and capped at 10 people (not including children under 12) rather than five people, and the limit on outdoor gatherings will be increased from 20 people to 30.

This morning, NSW public health orders were amended to clarify that day trips between Greater Sydney and regional areas will not be allowed until the state hits the 80 percent double dose vaccination threshold.

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How will restrictions change once lockdown ends in NSW?

Once New South Wales reaches the 70 percent double dose vaccination figure, the following travel freedoms will come into effect for those who are fully vaccinated:

• 5km radius rule will be scrapped
• Indoor pools will be reopened
• Weddings and funeral caps will be increased to 100 people
• Gyms, indoor recreation and sporting facilities will be accessible
• Fully vaccinated residents will be permitted up to ten visitors in their homes
• Hospitality venues will reopen with density limits
• Retail stores will reopen to fully vaccinated
• Personal services such as hairdressers, spas and beauty salons will reopen with density limits in place

When will regional travel be possible in NSW?

Under the original roadmap, regional travel was originally set to be part of the first wave of restrictions eased, however on Thursday October 8, NSW public health orders were amended to clarify that day trips between Greater Sydney and regional areas will not be allowed until the state hits the 80 percent double dose vaccination threshold.

Once the 80 percent double dose threshold is reached, trips between Greater Sydney and regional areas of NSW will be permitted, caravan and camping grounds will reopen and carpooling will be permitted.

When will interstate travel be possible in Australia?

Interstate travel is likely to remain off-the-table for some time, due to the fact that other states aren’t expected to hit the 70 percent double vaccinated threshold at the same time as New South Wales.

“It is important to note that we will hit – in all likelihood – 70 percent double dose ahead of other states. I don’t expect other states to open their borders to us at that time because other states will be catching up to get their vaccination rates at 70 percent double dose,” said Former Premier Gladys Berejiklian. 

“The plan says that the nation has to reach that amount before any consideration is given to internal borders.”

How will gathering restrictions change once lockdown ends in NSW?

According to the roadmap set out by the New South Wales government, once the 70 percent double dose threshold is reached, the following freedoms will apply to fully vaccinated people:

• Up to 10 visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not including children 12 and under).
• Up to 30 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.
• Amusement parks and nightclubs will remain closed.

Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including on public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, as well as on planes and in airports. However, only hospitality staff will be required to wear masks outdoors and children under twelve will be exempt from the indoor mask wearing masks mandate.

Future snap lockdowns are still possible for regions that open up

Any person who is part of the 70 percent double dose vaccinated population is able to “participate in the freedoms that come forward from that time.”

However if at any stage, there is a concentration of disease in a town or suburb or LGA that wasn’t anticipated, health advice may required that the government “restrict movement” in those areas.

“Vaccinations are the key to life returning to normal and the changes today will help family and friends reconnect, get kids back to school and get businesses back up and running sooner,” Mr Perrottet said.

“NSW is putting in the hard yards and it’s important people continue to turn out in droves to be vaccinated.”

The government intends to offer further freedom with regards to international travel, community sport and major events once the 80 percent double dose target is met and to ease them further from December 1.

At the time of publication, 70.3 percent of the New South Wales population is fully vaccinated and 89.4 percent has received one dose of the vaccine. The state recorded 587 cases of community transmission and eight deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm Thursday October 8th.

NSW roadmap to easing restrictions is subject to change, so make sure you stay up to date on the current NSW COVID-19 rules and case locations here.