NSW is expected to hit 70 per cent double-dose Covid vaccination mark TODAY after recording its fewest cases in seven weeks - setting up freedom from lockdown on Monday
- NSW is projected to hit the 70 per cent full vaccination target on Wednesday
- It is the first state to hit the milestone and will ease lockdown measures
- The state recorded 594 new Covid cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday
NSW is projected to hit the 70 per cent vaccination target today, triggering an end to many months-long Covid restrictions from Monday.
The state will be the first to hit the major milestone on Wednesday, with the result to be announced during Thursday's press conference.
Official figures count 67.7 per cent of NSW residents over 15 as double vaccinated and 88.6 per cent with one dose, but these numbers are a few days behind.
There were 22,987 vaccine doses administered on Tuesday at state-run facilities with many thousands more at GPs, pharmacists, and federal clinics.
More than 80.5 per cent of eligible Australian residents over the age of 16 have received their first Covid-19 jab while 58.4 per cent are now fully vaccinated (pictured, vaccinated Sydneysiders enjoying a picnic)
NSW recorded 594 new Covid cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, the fewest since August 18.
Ten deaths with Covid were also reported: seven men and three women from Sydney's Covid-hit west and southwestern suburbs, Wollongong, and the Riverina.
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.
Lockdown will end for fully vaccinated locals on Monday, including five people being allowed to visit homes, and restaurants, bars, and shops reopening.
On Monday, restrictions in NSW are set to be eased after reaching the 70 per cent full vaccination target (pictured, Sydneysiders at Bronte Beach)
NSW recorded 594 new Covid cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, the fewest since August 18 (pictured, Belmore Sports Ground vaccination hub)
Mr Perrottet is reviewing NSW's roadmap out of lockdown with the state's crisis cabinet and health officials on Wednesday, hinting tweaks could be made.
The new premier was sworn in on Tuesday will go over the plan for the state to emerge from months of lockdown from October 11.
His government's first challenge will be navigating the path out of lockdown, which began in Sydney more than 15 weeks ago.
'There's a number of areas within the roadmap that can be looked at,' Mr Perrottet told Sydney radio 2GB on Wednesday.
Key to the state's reopening will be an economic recovery plan, which the premier will unveil this week, and the ability of the state's health system to cope with an expected spike in Covid-19 cases when restrictions ease.
Fully vaccinated Sydneysiders caught up with friends for the first time in weeks with picnics in Centennial Park on Sunday
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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 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.'
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.
Premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured) will hold a crisis meeting on Wednesday to review NSW's roadmap out of Covid lockdown
The premier was reluctant to say if he would push for that requirement to be ditched earlier.
'I don't want to pre-empt any decision yet. We've got a cabinet meeting this afternoon and we'll work through that,' he said.
'There's a number of issues that I want to raise with our health officials.'
Mr Perrottet also said that from now on lockdowns would be the last resort if there is an outbreak, as the state's vaccination rates continue to rise.
As of midnight Monday, 88.6 per cent of people aged 16 and over have had at least one dose and 67.7 per cent were fully vaccinated.
NSW's roadmap to freedom
Restrictions eased at 80 per cent:
Gladys Berejiklian has released a roadmap revealing the new freedoms that will be granted to residents when 80 per cent of NSW is double jabbed.
The below restrictions will only be eased for fully-vaccinated residents.
Home and outdoor public space gatherings:
-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.
Hospitality venues, retail stores and gyms:
Bar staff making drinks at the Rio in Sydney before lockdown which is due to end in October
-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-andcollect).
-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:
Pictured, a wedding held in Sydney in September
-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.
More restrictions eased on December 1
More restrictions will be eased on December 1. This time, the new freedoms will apply to all residents, regardless of vaccination status.
Home and outdoor gatherings:
-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.
Hospitality venues, 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:
Pictured, spectators during an NRL game on Saturday
-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:
Children will be allowed to take part in community sports
-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.
