NSW Releases Road Map to Freedom But Does Not Give a Specific Date

Stay-at-home orders for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be lifted from the Monday after NSW passes the 70% double vaccination target, under the roadmap to freedom released today.

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.

The roadmap is subject to further fine-tuning and health advice if circumstances change drastically or if cases within a designated area remain too high.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said we are well on the way to hitting the 70% double dose milestone, which will allow the state to open up for those who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is for people to get vaccinated – if you have not had both doses of the vaccine by the time we hit the 70% milestone, you will not be able to take advantage of these freedoms,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government has worked with industry to design this road map, which is our biggest incentive to get vaccinated, to reach the 70 per cent target as soon as possible.

“Our roadmap outlines the freedoms that twice vaccinated people will enjoy once we reach 70 per cent double dose, which means a meal with loved ones or a drink with friends is just around the corner,” Mr Barilaro said.

Public Gatherings and Hospitality

Only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will have access to the freedoms allowed under the Reopening NSW roadmap.

The freedoms for vaccinated adults will come into effect on the Monday after NSW hits the 70 per cent double dose target and include:

  • 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.

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.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the easing of restrictions would come as a huge relief to struggling businesses and workers who just want to get their lives back on track safely.

“This roadmap gives us the light at the end of the tunnel we all want and will enable our economy to start firing again, driving our state back to prosperity,” Mr Perrottet said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the government will continue to be guided by the health advice and may still require targeted restrictions to deal with outbreaks.

“As we work toward reopening NSW, it is vital people continue to come forward and get vaccinated to help protect the community and reduce transmission of the virus,” Mr Hazzard.

When NSW hits the 80 per cent double dose target, the government intends to open up further freedoms around international travel, community sport, major events and other areas.

If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon as possible.

Local vaccination info here:

Local Testing info here:

How to Wear a Mask Properly here:

Lane Cove Council Area Vaccination Stats

There are appointments available at local pharmacies for the AZ vaccine.

Burns Bay Medical Practices, Lane Cove Doctors, and Lane Cove Family Medical Practice are also now offering Pfizer.

Get jabbed soon. Lane Cove LGA has the 7th highest vaccination rate (Ku ring gai Council is number one).

NSW Health has now published Vaccination rates by LGA. See map below—link to stats here.

The official vaccine booking link is here.

There are also various other tools available such as Covid Queue and Covid-19 Near me – which show you vaccinations and testing locations and availability.

Lane Cove Council Election Survey

The Lane Cove Council elections will be held this year. We want your feedback on what issues candidates should be talking about and also if you want us to hold a zoom candidates meeting. We held a forum last time, and it was packed, and residents got to ask some excellent questions.
Help us by filling out this survey, and you could go into the draw to win a $50 Lane Cove Gift Card.

Help During COVID19 Lockdown

During the last lockdown, ITC told our readers to let us know if they needed any help during the lockdown. We had very few people contact us about issues.

However, we have been contacted by locals who have been impacted financially by the lockdown during this lockdown, and both income earners have lost their jobs. We have referred them to Sydney Community Services who run a food bank.

Sydney Community Services would like Lane Cove residents to know the following:

“Supporting our Community

The current lockdown is taking its toll on everyone. All families and individuals feel the effects in some shape or another, and the financial burden is also hitting those who can normally rely on a steady and sustaining income. Sydney Community Services is open to people from all walks of life who find themselves in need of help. The generous community food drives keep us well stocked.

Our staff is here not only to provide tangible support such as wellness packs and energy & water vouchers but also to help you connect with further supports available. All requests for help are treated with sensitivity and confidentiality.

You can reach us by calling 9427 6425.

Please reach out to SCS if you need help.”

If you need help, please reach out to Sydney Community Services.

If you need other help, let us know, we have so many people who are offering help that we can assist you in some way. It does not have to be financial; it could be an issue that you just need a kind voice on the end of the phone.

If you are not feeling ok, or a friend or family member isn’t, there is support is available.

// BEYOND BLUE CORONAVIRUS WELLBEING SUPPORT //

It’s natural to experience feelings of uncertainty and anxiety right now. If you’re not feeling ok, you might want to check out the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service.

Call 1800 512 348 to get support now or chat with someone on their website: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/

You don’t need to be in crisis to seek support – the service is available to everyone, no matter your situation.

// LIFELINE TEXTLINE //

Some people don’t want to talk on the phone. But sometimes nighttime is hard.

You can text with someone from Lifeline. They provide short-term support for people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping.

Text: 0477 13 11 14 from midday to midnight.

If you or anyone you know is in immediate danger, always call 000.

Get Your Local News on Different Platforms

Are you an ITC SUPERFAN? We know many of you are! For those who are not, we have so many platforms to follow. Don’t miss out!

Instagram – www.instagram.com/inthecove/

Newsletter – https://inthecove.com.au/sign-up-for-newsletter/

Lane Cove Chat by ITC– www.facebook.com/groups/itclanecovechat

Kids in the Cove – www.facebook.com/groups/861987681252413

In the Cove Podcast – inthecove.com.au/in-the-cove-lane-cove-podcast/

Weekly Lane Cove Property Update – https://inthecove.com.au/category/lane-cove-property/

As always, thanks to everyone for the support!!!!

Check out our Instagram Site click on the picture below.