9 September | Roadmap to Freedom
After much anticipation, today, the NSW Government has outlined their plan to reopen NSW once 70% of the state has been double-jabbed.
After 76 days of Greater Sydney lockdown and 26 days of statewide lockdown, today's announcement has provided citizens across NSW much to be optimistic about (and with even more freedom than was initially rumoured). Sectors such as hospitality, retail, gyms, aviation, and the arts are amongst those which will benefit from this roadmap.
Although no date has been given, the Premier has said that the freedoms will begin on the Monday after the target of 70% of the population receiving two vaccinations has been hit, so with current forecasts we could see these freedoms come into effect on the 18 October. It has also been revealed that once the state hits an 80% vaccination rate, there could be further freedoms given, including international travel.
The one area that has a definitive reopening date will excite parents across NSW—schools will be going back on 25 October.
NSW Treasurer Dom Perrottet revealed that he is currently working on an 'Economic Recovery Plan', which he will release in early October, ahead of the state opening up. The Economic Recovery Plan is expected to provide ongoing support to businesses that are going to struggle to bounce back as quickly as others.
Only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will have access to the freedoms allowed under the NSW Roadmap to Freedom.
These freedoms include:
Major Events
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.
Hospitality & Retail
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.
Weddings, Funerals & Places of Worship
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.
Gyms & Sporting Facilities
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.
Gatherings
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.
Travel
Domestic travel, including trips to regional NSW, will be permitted.
Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.
Carpooling will be permitted.
The restrictions in place around working from home arrangements haven't been outlined to change, and the government media release states that "employers must continue to allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so".
Health will provide guidance nearer the reopening date about their revised isolation rules for close and casual contacts who are fully vaccinated.
The team at PremierNational are here to help you prepare for the restrictions easing, so please reach out if we can assist you.
