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.
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.
When the state reaches the 70 per cent double-vaxed point, other 'freedoms' from COVID-19 restrictions will include:
- Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.
- Carpooling will be permitted.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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