Once New South Wales has reached its 80 per cent double dose target, the state government has revealed that restrictions will ease, allowing fully vaccinated people to access hospitality venues.
Hospitality premises will operate with a one person per four square metres rule when inside and one person per two square metres when outside. Drinking while standing up will be allowed indoors, and a booking cap of 20 people per booking will also be introduced.
Masks will remain mandatory for indoor premises, except for children under 12. Hospitality staff, however, will be required to wear a mask both indoors and outdoors.
Those who are not fully vaccinated can only access hospitality settings for takeaway.
“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,” says Gladys Berejiklian, Premier of NSW.
“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.”
At the 80 per cent target, entertainment facilities such as cinemas can operate with one person per four square metres or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity, dependent on whichever is larger. Nightclubs will remain closed.
Dominic Perrottet, Treasurer of NW says this milestone marks 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,” Dominic says.
From 1 December, the NSW government is predicting that a one person per two square metres will be introduced to all venues and nightclubs and patrons will no longer have seating requirements for eating and drinking.
This will apply to all NSW citizens, regardless of their vaccination status.
The roadmap may be fine-tuned as the COVID-19 situation is monitored over the coming weeks.
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