October  3 - 9, 2021: Issue 512

 

Covid Update: doubling of local active cases since last report + Roadmap To Recovery Reveals Path Forward For All NSW;  JobSaver Extension by NSW Government, School Return Brought Forward, aged 60+ now able to access Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, concerns people living with a disability will not be fully vaccinated prior to opening up

Covid-19 Testing Clinic at Avalon Bowling Club carpark. 

Active cases in the NB LGA available at: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/find-the-facts-about-covid-19#map-of-nsw-covid-19-case-locations-cases-and-tests

This week the NSW government has revealed the freedoms people who are vaccinated against COVID-19, and those who are not, will get back before the end of the year.

Once 80 per cent of the eligible population is vaccinated — which is expected to happen sometime in October — those who have had two doses will be able to enjoy community sport again and have up to 10 guests visit their home among with a swathe of other freedoms. Unvaccinated people will remain under stay-at-home orders until December 1. By that date more than 90 per cent of people aged 16 and over are expected to be fully inoculated against the virus.

Some of the restrictions outlined below will come into effect on Monday, October 11 after the state reaches 70 per cent double-dose coverage, while others will be introduced when the state reaches 80 per cent later that month.

Premier Berejiklian announced on September 29 that from October 11, two visitors per day aged 12 years and over will be permitted to visit an aged care facility if they are fully vaccinated.

Federal Heealth Minister, The Hon. Greg Hunt, announced on September 28 that home testing will be available nationally from November 1st. PCR means polymerase chain reaction. It's a test to detect genetic material from a specific organism, such as a virus.

''At this stage, they've had over 70 expressions of interest and 33 tests have already been approved for supervised use. So, they will now be considered and made available if, if found to be safe and effective. But that's very important. The second thing is obviously to ensure that each of the states and territories is in a position to accept that. But from a national perspective, home testing will be available from 1 November. '' Mr Hunt said on Tuesday

''Now, as we go through this one of the great challenges has been mental health, and in particular for our kids. And we want our kids back at school at the earliest possible time. And so, we also know that whilst they've been at home, or even whilst they've been at school, the pandemic has been a great challenge for so many children.

And so today, just after this press conference, I'm joining the Murdoch Children's Research Institute to launch the Raising Healthy Children app. It's an app that's available on the phone. It's coming from the Raising Children's Network, and it's focused at 12 and under.

And it's about simple tips for them and simple tips for family on what to look out for, how to help provide support to detect early warning signs, but above all else, it's about prevention, diagnosis and treatment, where you can go as mum or dad, or what you can do to help your younger child deal with some of the mental health stressors.'' the Federal Health Minister said

The other announcement from the Federal Health Minister, September 23rd related to the use of sotrovimab and home quarantine.

''Today and tomorrow, 1800 pharmacies will be vaccinating with Moderna. Next week, up to another 1800 will be vaccinating with Moderna. And so what that means is on top of the over 4500 general practises and Commonwealth vaccination clinics run by GPs, there are, across the country, over 9500 options along with state clinics.

That means people have options for vaccines. It means that they have options for points of presence. And I think that's an incredibly important thing.''

On the same date the Victorian Chief Health Officer announced that, from September 30th, Victorians in an Extreme Risk Zone will be eligible to return home in Victoria if they are fully vaccinated with two doses, show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before their departure, and quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Additional testing requirements apply to the start and end of the 14-day quarantine period.

The announcement was welcomed by the Federal Health Minister;

''Firstly, in terms of home quarantine, I'm very heartened about the progress on that front. We're seeing across a number of states advances on home quarantine. We use this already for people returning across state borders, and I welcome the announcements by Victoria today on home quarantine. I think that's a really important thing. We want every Victorian home as soon as possible. And these new rules with regards to home quarantine are common sense, and I've been through three rounds of home quarantine myself. I've experienced six weeks of home quarantine. And it can be frustrating, but it does get people home and it keeps them safe and it helps to keep everybody else safe.

Of course, it has that same potential for international travel, and we're seeing heartening signs. ... And then, when you see states such as New South Wales and Victoria adopting home quarantine for different steps, I think that's really important.'' Minister Hunt said

Premier Berejiklian announced on September 17 that NSW is to run the pilot program for home quarantine. The pilot, to be operated and monitored by NSW Health and NSW Police, will trial a seven-day home quarantine program for around 175 people. Participants in the pilot will have had both doses of a TGA-accredited COVID-19 vaccine.

By Thursday September 30th, when Victoria was announcing a sudden rise in those diagnosed with the disease, with 1438 new cases announced on that day in the wake of the violent protests and a number of unauthorised family gatherings over the Grand Final (Australian football) weekend, Victorian commentators were taking heart from the drop in numbers of cases in NSW following the rise in vaccination rates, especially in those LGA's that have been most impacted in Sydney. It is hoped that as Melbourne vaccinations rates rise the case numbers will drop, as they have in Sydney.

Unfortunately the disease is spreading in NSW's rural areas, with steps being taken to protect residents.

Local Cases on the rise
Similarly a rise in cases in the Northern Beaches LGA should be of concern to residents - the figures of active cases have doubled since our last report; 151 on October 1st compared to 67 on September 17, with postcode 2101 showing 15 active cases and postcode 2099, Dee Why and surrounds, recording 47 active cases and postcode 2100, Beacon Hill and surrounds showing 55 cases. There are also active cases in Avalon (now 4), Newport(4), Mona Vale (9), Bayview (2), Church Point, Lovett, Elvina(1), Warriewood (5).

New cases are being added in daily at present - please mask up, use social distancing and protect yourself, your family and your community.

Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for 60+ age bracket
Thankfully for all older Australians with a history of medical conditions that would be potentially impacted by the then required for them vaccine, Astra Zeneca, the Hon. Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia announced on September 30th that Australians aged 60+ will now be able to access the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, Australia wide from a GP or pharmacists.

''We now have the vaccine supply available to open access up so all Australians aged 12+ can get either the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine.'' Mr. Morrison said

''We want to get Australians vaccinated as quickly as possible so we can hit the 70% and 80% targets in the National Plan, safely reopen and get Australians their lives back.''

The Prime Minister also announced on Friday, after the States Cabinet Meeting, that the TGA has provided advice that Coronavac (Sinovac) and Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India) vaccines be considered ‘recognised vaccines’ for incoming international travellers to be regarded as appropriately vaccinated. This is in addition to the four vaccines approved for use in Australia - Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

This advice follows detailed assessments by the TGA to determine the protection against infection and serious illness offered by vaccines not registered for use in Australia.

‘Recognition’ status does not constitute Australian regulatory approval, as regulatory approval would enable a company to provide that vaccine for administration within Australia.

Recognition of these vaccines supports Australians to be able to return who have had these vaccinations overseas, and will enable reopening to other groups such as international students who have been vaccinated with these vaccines in countries such as Indonesia, India and China.

People living with a disability still not vaccinated
The only fly in the vaccine ointment is the growing concern within this community, and Australia wide, is that the Federal Government heeds the Disability Royal Commission’s latest call for improved vaccination measures to protect the lives of people with disability before states start to open up from COVID lockdowns. 

Although protocols are in place to actually go to shared homes and vaccinate people with disability it has failed to meet the needs of those not living in these settings nor has any proposal on how to get vaccines to people unable to attend a vaccination hub been addressed. 

The report sets out a range of findings and recommendations about the government’s vaccine rollout as it affects people with disability, particularly people in residential disability settings and people with intellectual disability. A key recommendation is no easing of restrictions until all people with disability and all active disability support workers have been fully vaccinated.

The report essentially backs a series of demands from the disability sector over the last six months that people with disability be prioritised for vaccines with in-home vaccinations and priority booking services, and that the government be much more transparent in relation to relevant vaccination data and strategy.

People With Disability Australia (PWDA)– the nation’s peak disability advocacy organisation – has been part of a coalition of disability organisations that has been lobbying for months for a better vaccine response for people with disability but with little engagement from the government.

PWDA CEO Sebastian Zagarella said this week, “Many people with disability are extremely concerned about the risks to their health and the health of their loved ones as Australia starts to reopen from COVID lockdowns.

“That’s because many people with disability are at greater risk of sickness and death if they get infected with COVID, which is why people with disability were supposed to be prioritised for vaccinations and be double-dosed back in April.

“However, the latest figures from the Federal Government show that vaccination rates for people with disability are still way too low, with just over a third of NDIS participants, less than two-thirds of NDIS participants in shared residential accommodation and just over half of NDIS screened support workers having received two doses.

“Without giving people with disability and the workers who support them sufficient time and opportunity to access vaccinations, we risk leaving people with disability behind, making them second-class citizens, endangering their lives and putting them in lockdown limbo.

“We’re grateful the Commission has come out so strongly in support of what the sector has been saying for months now in relation to the vaccine rollout for people with disability.

“The government’s lack of consultative planning plus unclear messaging has created confusion among people with disability which ultimately has led to distrust in the rollout and vaccine hesitancy.

On August 25th 2021 PWDA President Samantha Connor said: “In the past few weeks, we’ve found out that the 1a and 1b disability priority groups were actively deprioritised by government, that there are no disability targets or strategies in place and that people with disability are being left behind in the vaccine rollout.”

“It is appalling that the groups who were initially prioritised by government as more at risk than the rest of the community have been so completely forgotten.”

In a letter sent to PWDA by Minister Reynolds on Sunday August 22nd, statistics showed that of 27,293 people with disability eligible under Phase 1a, 67% had received at least one dose and just 51.4% had been fully vaccinated.

Ms Connor believes that the government has grossly underestimated the number of people with disability that are included in the scope of Phase 1a rollout.

“The 1a group should have been at least 10 times higher than the government has calculated because it has excluded clinically vulnerable people with disability in mental health hospitals, boarding houses, jails, juvenile justice centres and disability justice centres.

“This means tens of thousands of clinically vulnerable people with disability are not being prioritised in the vaccine rollout.”

Ms Connor said the government has never revealed their modelling around the number of people with disability and people with chronic health conditions that should have been included in the 1b rollout and that it was likely to also be underestimated.

“Government has released no data around this cohort, nor any strategy to ensure people are able to be safely vaccinated. Of the 267,526 NDIS participants eligible under Phase 1b, they say that as at August 19, 26.2% had received two doses and 44.2% had received at least one dose.”

“However, NDIS participants only represent around 6% of the 4.4 million people with disability in Australia and so once again a huge number of people with disability who should be being prioritised in the vaccine rollout have potentially been missing out on early access to life-saving jabs.”

“The data that government is reporting against is extremely limited in its scope and not taking into account the millions of people across Australia whose disabilities and living conditions make them sitting ducks for contracting COVID. In the UK, 60% of the people who died were disabled people.”

“As well as priority access to vaccines, we need to ensure that we have accurate and transparent data and daily reporting. This includes daily reporting about the estimated 300,000-strong disability workforce, accurate mortality data and comprehensive reporting in the same manner that the aged care sector is being reported on.”

“Compared to other priority groups in 1a and 1b as well as the general population, vaccination rates for people with disability are way behind. It’s simply not good enough.”

NSW Government announcements made this week run below.

Read the latest COVID-19 information.

Roadmap to recovery reveals path forward for all NSW

September 27, 2021

​NSW has a clear path to follow out of the pandemic and lockdowns, with the roadmap for easing restrictions at the 80 per cent double dose target revealing a brighter future for the community.

From the Monday after NSW hits the 80 per cent (aged 16 and over) double dose vaccination target, eased restrictions will allow 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.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the 80 per cent roadmap will also remove the limit of fully vaccinated guests for weddings and funerals, and remove customer caps for personal services such as hairdressers.

"I know people are counting down the minutes until we reach 70 per cent double dose and the freedoms that will provide, and today we are providing further certainty by announcing the 80 per cent roadmap and future settings," Ms Berejiklian said.

"Vaccination remains our ticket to freedom so we need to work even harder to get jabs in arms, to help stop the spread, minimise outbreaks and ensure people are protected when we open up."

Given updated health advice, adjustments have been made to the 70 per cent roadmap. Regional travel will now not be allowed until 80 per cent (fully vaccinated only), and a booking cap has been introduced for hospitality venues of 20 people per booking.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government is considering changes to incoming international arrival caps, so more people can return home for Christmas.

"The NSW Government's 70 per cent roadmap lifts fully vaccinated people out of lockdown and when we reach 80 per cent, restrictions will ease even further," Mr Barilaro said.

"The key continues to be vaccination rates, so please do not hesitate and book in for your free COVID-19 vaccine today so we can reach these targets as soon as possible.

"I must also clarify that travel between Greater Sydney and regional NSW will only be permitted when the state reaches 80 per cent double dose. This change is necessary to give some regional areas the time they need to increase local vaccination rates."

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the milestone marked a shift in gear for the State's economic recovery.

"There's a real sense of optimism returning to our community as our vaccination rates keep climbing and that's giving businesses the confidence they need to reopen and for people to start returning to work and getting their lives back on track," Mr Perrottet said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard thanked the people of NSW for their sacrifices.

"Our health workers continue to rely on people to make smart choices, to keep a safe distance, not go to work when they are feeling unwell and to get tested when they show the slightest of symptoms.

"It's that dedication which allows us to ease some of the restrictions again and to begin the process of opening up the state," Mr Hazzard said.

The roadmap may be fine-tuned by NSW Health as we monitor the COVID-19 situation over the coming weeks.

From 1 December further changes will be introduced including all venues moving to the 2sqm rule, masks will not be required indoors at offices, indoor pools and nightclubs can reopen, and unvaccinated people will have greater freedoms.

If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon possible. For the latest information visit the NSW Government website.


80 PER CENT ROADMAP

Under the Reopening NSW roadmap at 80 per cent, the following freedoms will apply only to fully vaccinated adults (16+) and those with medical exemptions (staff and patrons).

Gatherings in the home and outdoor public spaces

  • Up to 10 visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under)
  • Up to 20 people can continue to gather in unregulated outdoor settings
  • Up to 200 people can attend COVID Safe events
  • Up to 500 people can attend controlled (ticketed and seated) events
  • Community sport permitted
  • Those who are not fully vaccinated may only gather outdoors in groups of 2 people.

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms

  • Retail stores can operate at one person per 4 sqm (those who are not fully vaccinated will continue to only have access to non-critical retail via click-and collect)
  • Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage) can operate with one person per 4 sqm (uncapped)
  • Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 4 sqm inside and one person per 2 sqm outside, with the requirement to be seated while drinking indoors removed. Group bookings will be limited to 20 people. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only access hospitality settings for takeaway
  • Gyms and indoor recreation facilities (excluding indoor pools) can operate with one person per 4sqm, capped at 20 people per class.

Major outdoor recreation facilities

  • Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 4 sqm, capped at 5,000 people (or by exemption).

Entertainment, information and education facilities

  • Entertainment facilities (including cinemas, theatres, music halls) can operate with one person per 4 sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity (whichever is larger)
  • Information and education facilities (including libraries, galleries and museums) can operate with one person per 4 sqm
  • Amusement centres and nightclubs will remain closed.

Working from home

  • Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home, if reasonably practicable
  • Employers must require employees who are not fully vaccinated to work from home, if reasonably practicable.

Education

  • Return to school with COVID Safe measures on 25 October (as previously announced).

Weddings, funerals and places of worship

  • One person per 4sqm (uncapped) for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing. Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend weddings with a maximum of 5 guests (no receptions)
  • One person per 4 sqm (uncapped) for funerals. Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend funerals with a maximum of 10 people
  • Churches and places of worship can continue to open with one person per 4 sqm, with no singing. Those who are not fully vaccinated will be allowed.

Travel

  • Unrestricted trips between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW will be permitted
  • Caravan parks and camping grounds can operate, including for those who are not fully vaccinated
  • Carpooling is permitted. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only carpool with their household.

Masks

  • Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor premises and settings, except children under 12
  • Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask while outdoors

CHANGES FROM 1 DECEMBER 2021

On Wednesday 1 December 2021, the following settings will apply to all NSW citizens, regardless of their vaccination status:

Gatherings in the home and outdoor public spaces

  • No limit on the number of visitors to a home
  • Density will shift to one person per 2 sqm for indoor and outdoor settings
  • No limit on the number of people who can attend informal outdoor gatherings
  • COVID Safe plan required for outdoor events with more than 1,000 people
  • Community sport permitted for all people.

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms

  • Retail stores can operate at one person per 2 sqm
  • Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage can operate with one person per 2 sqm
  • Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 2 sqm inside and outside, with no seating required for eating and drinking
  • Gyms and indoor recreation facilities, including indoor pools, can operate with one person per 2 sqm (uncapped)
  • Intimate services can open with one person per 4 sqm

Major outdoor recreation facilities

  • Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 2 sqm.

Entertainment, information and education facilities

  • Entertainment facilities (including cinemas, theatres, music halls) can operate with one person per 2 sqm
  • Information and education facilities (including libraries, museums and galleries) can operate with one person per 2 sqm
  • Amusement centres and nightclubs can open with one person per 4 sqm.

Working from home

  • Working from home will be at employer’s discretion.

Education

  • All year groups return to face-to-face learning.

Weddings, funerals and places of worship

  • One person per 2 sqm for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing
  • One person per 2 sqm for funerals
  • Churches and places of worship can operate with one person per 2 sqm, with singing permitted.

Travel

  • Domestic travel, including trips between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW
  • Caravan parks and camping grounds can operate
  • Carpooling is permitted
  • Quarantine settings for vaccinated arrivals will be altered. A cap on unvaccinated travellers may remain.

Masks

  • Masks wearing will be mandatory while travelling on public transport, on planes and at airports, and for front-of-house hospitality workers
  • Mask wearing is not required when outdoors.

For further information about the Reopening NSW roadmap, go to www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19.

JobSaver extension to boost business recovery

The NSW Government will go it alone to fund an extension of the JobSaver program to help NSW businesses re-open their doors and get people back into jobs as the state starts to ease restrictions and enjoy greater freedoms.

When NSW reaches the 80% double vaccination rate, the joint Commonwealth and NSW Government JobSaver payments will cease and the Commonwealth will end its contributions.

At that time, the NSW Government will continue to fund its 50 % contribution to JobSaver payments. At this point JobSaver payments will be tapered from 30% to 15% of weekly payroll.

JobSaver payments will end on 30 November, coinciding with the further relaxation of restrictions.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the extension of JobSaver would work alongside the NSW Government’s Roadmap and the easing of restrictions, giving businesses certainty.

“The continuation of JobSaver over the next two months will give businesses across NSW the financial boost they need to get them through the challenge of re-opening their doors,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“The light at the end of the tunnel is so close, and this support will help see businesses and workers out to the other side and prepare them for re-launch.”

By 30 November, the NSW Government is expected to have unilaterally provided over $8 billion in direct support to businesses and individuals, including through the JobSaver program and its contribution to Commonwealth Disaster Payments.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said pivoting JobSaver from support to recovery would put businesses on the front-foot as restrictions are eased and the economy is restarted.

“JobSaver has helped businesses weather the storm of the latest outbreak and now is the right time to plan for the future so we can get our economy firing again,” Mr Perrottet said.

“I know business across the State are keen to open their doors, and are busy planning now that our Roadmap is out. There’s renewed optimism in NSW.

“We are sticking by businesses and giving them the support they need to get back on the road to prosperity with the State only a few weeks away from re-opening.

The jointly-funded Commonwealth and NSW Government business support package, including JobSaver, has provided a $7 billion financial lifeline to businesses over the past three months helping keep people connected to their workplaces. Over the next two months, this lifeline will increase to almost $12 billion provided to NSW businesses to make it through the Delta pandemic.

After NSW reaches the 80% double vaccination target the Micro-business grant will continue to be available at a rate of $750 a fortnight, before ceasing on 30 November.  

The NSW Government will announce its comprehensive Economic Recovery Plan in early October, designed to boost business confidence and jobs growth and inject stimulus as restrictions ease across the state. 

Details of the JobSaver tapering are set out below:


School return brought forward

September 30, 2021

Schools will begin their staggered return to face to face learning on Monday 18 October, one week earlier than initially planned, thanks to the heroic vaccination efforts of NSW.

Students will now return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health approved COVID-safe settings on the following dates:

  • From 18 October – Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12
  • From  25 October – Year 2, 6 and 11
  • From 1 November – Year 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the return to school plan was always linked to the vaccination rates of the community, and thanks to faster vaccination rates than expected, students will be able to return to the classroom sooner. 

“We have been clear that a return to school should begin once the state passed 70 per cent fully vaccinated, and thanks to the incredible efforts from the people of NSW, we will reach that milestone sooner than expected,” Ms Berejiklian said. 

“Managing a return in a school system the size of NSW’s is not a small task. Keeping the staged approach, but moving it all one week earlier, allows schools to shift their plans forward and still provides time for staff and eligible students to get vaccinated.” 

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said an additional week of quality face-to-face learning for students is worth having and can be achieved in a safe and sensible way. 

“It’s fantastic that we will meet vaccination targets in NSW earlier than originally anticipated. This has allowed us to shift the plan forward for all schools across impacted areas,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“Bringing the return forward allows schools to keep their plans for a staggered return, and provides time for staff to get their second dose. From 18 October, all staff that need to be on site must be fully vaccinated.

“I know there remain some concerns in the community around a return to school, but students, staff and parents should feel confident that this approach allows enough time to make schools as COVID safe as possible.” 

The final date for staff to receive two doses of the COVID vaccine remains 8 November, unless staff have a medical exemption. 

Families who cannot keep their children at home for any reason have always been able to send their children to school, and that continues to be the case. 

Schools will begin communicating their COVID-safe plans to families from next week. 

The public health advice for parents to keep their children home from early childhood education and care services where possible will also be lifted from 18 October 2021. 

Areas of Regional NSW where stay at home orders have already been lifted will continue learning face-to-face from Day 1, Term 4.

At 80 per cent coverage

The following rules will apply only to fully vaccinated people.

Gatherings at home and outdoors:

  •  Up to 10 visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under)
  •  Up to 20 people will be able to gather in unregulated outdoor settings (like parks)
  •  Up to 200 people can attend COVID-safe events
  •  Up to 500 people can attend controlled (ticketed and seated) events

Community sport:

  •  Community sport will be restarted 

Venues including pubs, shops and gyms:

  • Retail stores can operate at one person per 4 square metres (those who are not fully vaccinated will only have access to non-critical retail via click-and-collect)
  • Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage can operate with one person per 4sqm
  • Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with the requirement to be seated while drinking indoors removed. Group bookings will be limited to 20 people
  • Those who are not fully vaccinated can only get takeaway
  • Gyms and indoor recreation facilities (excluding indoor pools) can operate with one person per 4sqm, capped at 20 people per class (gyms will be allowed to open under these conditions from October 11)

Outdoor facilities:

  • Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people (or more by exemption)

Entertainment, information and education facilities:

  • Entertainment facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls will be permitted to operate with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity (whichever is larger)
  • Information and education facilities (including libraries, galleries and museums) can operate with one person per 4sqm
  • Amusement centres and nightclubs will remain closed

Working from home:

  • Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home if reasonably practicable
  • Employers must require employees who are not fully vaccinated to work from home, if reasonably practicable

Schools:

  • A staggered return to face-to-face learning will begin on Monday, October 25 when kindergarten, Year 1 and all of Year 12 return full-time

Weddings, funerals and places of worship:

  • There will be no cap for weddings but there must only be one person per 4sqm. Dancing will be permitted and eating and drinking will be allowed while standing. Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend weddings with a maximum of five guests (no receptions).
  • There will be no caps for funerals but the one person per 4sqm rule will apply. Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend funerals with a maximum of 10 people
  • Churches can welcome back anyone, regardless of vaccination status, once the state reaches 80 per cent vaccination coverage. The one person per 4sqm rule will still apply and singing will be banned

Regional travel:

  • Unrestricted trips between Greater Sydney and regional NSW will be permitted
  • Caravan parks and camping grounds can operate
  • Carpooling is permitted. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only carpool with their household

Masks:

  • Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor premises and settings, except for children under 12
  • Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask while outdoors

From December 1

The following changes will apply to all NSW citizens, regardless of their vaccination status.

Gatherings in the home and outdoors:

  • There will be no limit on the number of visitors to a home
  • The one person per 2sqm rule will apply for indoor and outdoor settings 
  • There will be no limit on the number of people who can attend informal outdoor gatherings
  • COVID-safe plans will be required for outdoor events with more than 1,000 people

Community sport:

  • Community sport will resume for all

Venues including pubs, shops and gyms:

  • Retail stores will be able to operate under the one person per 2sqm rule
  • Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage clinics can reopen under the one person per 2sqm rule
  • Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 2sqm inside and outside. People will be able to stand while eating and drinking inside and outside
  • Gyms and indoor recreation facilities, including indoor pools, can operate with one person per 2sqm (with no cap on total number)
  • Intimate services can open with one person per 4sqm

Outdoor facilities:

  • Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 2sqm

Entertainment, information and education facilities:

  • Entertainment facilities (including cinemas, theatres, music halls) will be able to operate under the one person per 2sqm rule
  • Information and education facilities (including libraries, museums and galleries) can operate with one person per 2sqm
  • Amusement centres and nightclubs can open with one person per 4sqm

Working from home:

  • Working from home will be at employer's discretion

Weddings, funerals and places of worship:

  • One person per 2sqm for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing
  • One person per 2sqm for funerals
  • Churches and places of worship can operate with one person per 2sqm with singing permitted

Travel:

  • Domestic travel, including trips between Greater Sydney and regional NSW, can resume for all
  • Unvaccinated people can carpool with vaccinated people
  • Quarantine settings for vaccinated interstate arrivals will be altered but a cap on unvaccinated travellers may remain

Masks:

  • Masks will remain mandatory while travelling on public transport, planes and at airports and for front-of-house hospitality workers
  • Masks won't be required when outdoors