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NSW has finally hit its 70 per cent vaccination target, triggering the end of four months of gruelling lockdown with many restriction to be eased on Monday as scheduled. 

The state reached the major milestone on Wednesday, with the official figures to be revealed at Thursday morning's press conference. 

NSW Health data now shows over 70 per cent of NSW residents over 15 have been double-jabbed with close to 90 per cent receiving at least one dose.

That means from Monday October 11, fully-vaccinated residents will once again be able to go to restaurants, pubs, cafes, retails stores, gyms and attend personal services like hair dressers - albeit with density limits and mask rules.

Up to five people will also be allowed to gather in the home while 20 can get together in outdoor settings.

But NSW residents will still need to wait under October 25, when 80 per cent are set to be double-dosed, before regional travel and larger events are given the green light. 

Newly-appointed NSW premier Dominic Perrottet broke the long-awaited news on social media

Dominic Perrottet (pictured) said the milestone will signal a big step towards a full reopening and a proper summer

Double-jabbed NSW residents will be able to go back to the pub from Monday - but house parties will still be banned (stock image)

Newly-appointed NSW premier Dominic Perrottet broke the long-awaited news on social media on his first full day on the job.

'Bam. We've hit 70% of over-16s double vaccinated in NSW,' he posted.

'This is great news and big step closer to a full reopening and a proper summer.

'Some restrictions will ease from Monday October 11, so keep up-to-date with NSW Health.'

Rumours have been swirling that Mr Perrottet is keen to see restrictions lift as soon as possible with Wednesday night's crisis cabinet set to discuss possible changes to the state's roadmap.

This could see school children return to the classroom sooner and allow religious services to recommence with greater freedoms.

'I am not going to pre-empt those discussions,' Mr Perrottet said earlier on Wednesday.

'At the cabinet meeting this afternoon there will be further discussions in relation to the road map.

'I have had discussions with the health team and the minister and Dr Chant this morning around a whole range of issues in relation to Covid situation.

'We will be considering those matters this afternoon at the crisis cabinet.'

Weddings will be allowed to go ahead from next week with up to 50 guests (stock image)

On Monday, restrictions in NSW are set to be eased after reaching the 70 per cent full vaccination target (pictured, Sydneysiders at Bronte Beach)

From next week Sydneysiders will be allowed to have up to five guests in their home with 20 able to gather outdoors (pictured, a picnic at Cremorne Point)

From next week wedding, funeral and religious services will be able to go ahead with up to 50 guests, but they must remain seated to eat or drink and no singing is allowed.

Outdoor recreation facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen under the one person per 4sqm with a cap of 5,000 people. 

Concert venues outside can also go ahead with a cap with up to 500 people, who must remain seated.

But anyone heading to these events or to pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms, retails stores and personal services like hairdressers, will need to prove their vaccination status by scanning in with QR code.

Vaccine passports have been a hot political topic in Australia and throughout the world, but Down Under the business community has been a major driver behind the idea, seeing it as a ticket to freedom and an answer to the relentless cycle of lockdowns that have crippled their establishments. 

Under the NSW system, anyone who has received both jabs is issued with a commonwealth-assigned vaccination certificate through Medicare.

In order to enter a venue, a person would simply flash the certificate or scan in with a QR code to prove they've had the jab.

Anyone who doesn't get a green tick will be refused entry and will not be able to enter any venues until December 1.

When the state's pubs reopen they will operate under the four person per sqm rule (pictured, NYE revellers in Sydney last year)

Gym junkies will be able to get their fix from next week as long as they are fully vaccinated (pictured, outdoor workouts at Bondi in July)

Fully vaccinated residents must prove their vaccination status when they enter a venue by scanning in with a QR code (pictured, a Kings Cross bar in Sydney before lockdown)

Vaccination rates as of Monday October 4 - the last official numbers - show 67.7 per cent are fully vaccinated with 88.6 per cent receiving their first dose. 

On Wednesday, the state recorded 594 new Covid cases, the fewest since August 18, the 70 per cent market was eclipsed.

But it wasn't all good news with the state also recorded 10 more deaths from the virus - seven men and three women.

One of the deceased was in their 40s, one in their 60s, four in their 70s, two in their 80s, and two in their 90s.

Three of them were double-vaccinated, four had received one jab and three were unvaccinated. 

The fatalities bring the state's death toll from the latest outbreak to 395 and the total number since the start of the pandemic to 451. 

NSW recorded 594 new Covid cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, the low number since August 18 (pictured, Belmore Sports Ground vaccination hub)

Sydneysiders have been living under stay-at-home orders for over four months. Pictured: Pitt Street in Sydney

Mr Perrottet said while the economy had taken a significant beating during the lockdown, which began in June, he expects the state to 'bounce back very quickly'. Pictured: Dumpling Bar in Sydney 

Key to the transition out of lockdown will be an economic recovery plan which the recently sworn-in premier will unveil this week.

Mr Perrottet said while the economy had taken a significant beating during the lockdown, which began in June, he expects the state to 'bounce back very quickly'.

'As we head into December and over the summer period as businesses open... we're going to have a very bright summer,' he said.

'What we'll see is a stronger economy on the other side.'

Almost 90 per cent of NSW residents have now received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine

Five people are set to be allowed to visit a home, restaurants, bars and retail shops will also reopen on Monday (pictured, Bondi Beach testing centre)

Mr Perrottet is also determined to get workers back into offices to breathe life back into major CBDs 'this year and as quickly as possible', but he acknowledged mandatory mask-wearing in offices is an impediment.

Under the roadmap, masks remain compulsory in indoor environments until December.

He told 2GB radio this morning that after 15 weeks of harsh restrictions for long-suffering Sydneysiders, 'there's a number of areas within the roadmap that can be looked at.'

However he admitted any changes would need to be agreed upon by health officials as the state's recovery could be crippled if the hospital system is overwhelmed by a surge of Covid-19 cases.

Fully vaccinated Sydneysiders caught up with friends for the first time in weeks with picnics in Centennial Park on Sunday

Crowds of up to 5000 people at sporting events will be permitted to go ahead from Monday 

Roadmap to freedom: All the changes for fully vaccinated NSW residents after hitting 70% jab target

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's freedom plan will kick off after the state hits 70 per cent of adults double dosed 

Gatherings in the home and public spaces

· 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.

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.

Weddings, funerals and 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.

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.  

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