The NSW Government has outlined our new ‘Roadmap to Freedom’, detailing the pathway out of lockdown and the transition to normality. For most New South Wales residents, the 80% double dose figure has been the golden number that is set to unlock the state and see familiar activities back on the cards. But just what can you do once NSW hits 80% vaccinated?
You’ll also like:
What are Sydney’s New Freedoms? A Complete Guide to Sydney Restrictions
11 Best Golf Driving Ranges in Sydney
8 of Sydney’s Most Exclusive Private Members’ Clubs
The Roadmap to Freedom
In mid-September, NSW Premier Gladys Berejilkian unveiled a three-stage roadmap that promised to provide new freedoms in line with vaccination targets. Under the current trajectory, the state is expected to reach the 80% double-dose vaccination milestone before the end of October. The figure had originally been slated as 70%, however, Premier Berejiklian revised the target.
What You Can Do
As outlined in the Roadmap to Freedom, some activities that have previously been out of reach will be allowed once NSW hits 80% fully vaccinated. At this stage, fully vaccinated residents will be able to travel anywhere freely in New South Wales and stand up and drink at a pub. Unvaccinated people will be able to attend places of worship and some other activities. Here is what you can do in NSW once the 80% fully vaccinated milestone is achieved:
| Activity | At 80% | From December 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | Unrestricted trips between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW | Domestic travel, altered quarantine setting for international arrivals |
| Visitors | Up to 10 people in a home (excluding children <12) | No limit |
| Gatherings | Up to 20 people in outdoor settings | No limit |
| Masks | Mandatory for all indoor premises and settings | On public transport, on planes and at airports, for front-of-house hospitality workers |
| Events | Up to 200 people at COVIDSafe events, up to 500 people at controlled, ticketed events | COVID Safe plan required for outdoor events with more than 1,000 people |
| Community Sport | Permitted | Permitted |
| Retail | One person per 4 sqm. (Non-vaccinated people can access non-critical retail via click-and-collect only) | One person per 2 sqm |
| Personal Services | One person per 4 sqm | One person per 2 sqm |
| Hospitality | One person per 4 sqm inside and one person per 2 sqm outside, seated consumption, up to 20 people per booking | One person per 2 sqm |
| Gyms & Indoor Recreation | One person per 4 sqm, capped at 20 people per class | One person per 2 sqm |
| Major Outdoor Recreation | One person per 4 sqm, capped at 5000 people | One person per 2 sqm |
| Entertainment | One person per 4 sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity (whichever is larger) | One person per 2 sqm |
| Nightclubs | Closed | One person per 4 sqm |
| Weddings | One person per 4sqm (uncapped) with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing | One person per 2 sqm |
| Funerals | One person per 4sqm (uncapped) | One person per 2 sqm |
When Will the Restrictions Be Lifted?
As outlined by the NSW Premier, certain restrictions will be lifted once the state hits the 80% double dose vaccination target. The state is expected to reach the 70% double dose mark on October 11, with Premier Berejiklian announcing she expects the 80% mark to be reached around October 24. At that point, authorities will announce the new freedoms will be enacted, expected to arrive on the Monday following the 80% target. Four or five weeks after the 80% mark is hit, Ms Berejiklian expects NSW will reach 90% double dose.
Further to that, the NSW Government has also revealed that as of December 1, additional freedoms will be granted. These will include all venues moving to the two-square-metre rule, indoor pools and nightclubs reopening and masks no longer required indoors at offices. Most importantly, unvaccinated people will have greater freedoms at this mark.
“If you are not vaccinated you will have to wait at least four or five weeks after we’ve already hit the 80 per cent double dose rate in order to participate in things that the rest of us can participate in,” Premier Berejiklian said in a statement.
What About Non-Vaccinated People?
As stipulated in the Roadmap to Freedom, unvaccinated people in NSW are set to receive the same freedoms that vaccinated people will, albeit a little later. From December 1, unvaccinated people will be able to do the following activities in NSW:
- Go to the pub or a restaurant
- Travel within NSW
- Visit their family – There will be no limit on the number of people allowed in a home.
You’ll also like:
What are Sydney’s New Freedoms? A Complete Guide to Sydney Restrictions
11 Best Golf Driving Ranges in Sydney
8 of Sydney’s Most Exclusive Private Members’ Clubs
General FAQs
According to the NSW Government, pubs and restaurants will reopen to the public once the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target has been met. This is expected to happen before the end of October.
According to the NSW Government, if you are fully-vaccinated you will be able to travel anywhere in NSW once the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target has been met. This is expected to happen before the end of October. For unvaccinated people, this will be allowed from December 1.
Once the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target has been met and new freedoms are enacted, masks will still be mandatory or all indoor premises and settings. From December 1, masks will be mandatory on public transport, on planes and at airports, for front-of-house hospitality workers.
