New Premier announces update to NSW COVID roadmap to freedom

The change in Premier to Dominic Perrottet has also lead to a change in the NSW COVID roadmap to freedom.

With 70% fully vaccinated rates now achieved across NSW, the state is set to progressively reopen from Monday 11th October 2021.

There have been a few changes to the roadmap. Find out what this means for your business and family below.

Employees returning to work:

• Workers in regional areas who have received one vaccination dose can return to their workplace from 11th October but will need to be fully vaccinated by 1st November.

Gatherings in the home and public spaces:

• Up to 10 visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not including children 12 and under). Under the previous Premier this was 5 visitors.
• Up to 30 people can gather in outdoor settings (previously 20 people).

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:

• Hospitality venues can reopen subject to 1 person per 4 sq.m inside and 1 person per 2 sq.m outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
• Retail stores can reopen under the 1 person per 4 sq.m rule (unvaccinated people will continue to only be able to access critical retail).
• Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with 1 person per 4 sq.m, capped at 5 clients per premises.
• Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the 1 person per 4 sq.m rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.
• Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen. Indoor pools will also now be re-opened for swimming lessons, squad training, lap swimming, and rehabilitation activities.

Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:

• Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with 1 person per 4sqm, capped at 5000 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 1 person per 4 sq.m or 75% fixed seated capacity.

Weddings, funerals and places of worship: 

• Up to 100 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated (previously 50 guests).
• Up to 100 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.
• Churches and places of worship to open subject to 1 person per 4 sq.m 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.

For more information on the COVID-19 restrictions and easing visit here.

The NSW Government has also updated the COVID Safety Plans, factsheets and produced new signage to assist with implementing compliance measures.  To access these resources go to the Covid safe business page.