NSW premier unveils changes to state’s reopening plan as 587 new COVID-19 cases recorded

New South Wales has recorded 587 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases as authorities unveiled “measured” changes to the state’s roadmap out of lockdown.

It comes after the state reached its 70 per cent double vaccination milestone, triggering an easing of restrictions for fully vaccinated adults as planned on Monday.

Perrottet unveils new reopening roadmap for NSW

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the changes at a press conference on Thursday morning without a representative from NSW Health present.

It followed a crisis cabinet meeting late on Wednesday.

“We need to open up, we need to open up safely and that’s why we have made the decisions we have,” he told reporters.

“These changes today are measured, sensible, and ensure we open up in a very safe way.”

From Monday, indoor home gatherings will double to 10 visitors (not counting children 12 and under) and outdoor gatherings will increase from 20 to 30.

Caps on outdoor weddings and funerals will double to 100. Indoor pools will also be re-opened for swimming lessons, squad training, lap swimming and rehab activities.

In addition, all children will return to school by 25 October, with COVID-safe measures in place. Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 will return as previously announced on 18 October, with all other years to follow the following week.

“This is not over, but to get to 70 per cent is incredibly successful for everybody right across New South Wales. We’re going to get to 80 per cent very, very shortly as well,” Mr Perrottet said.

The premier also announced changes to the roadmap from the Monday after the state reaches its 80 per cent double vaccination target.

This includes an increased cap from 500 to 3,000 people for controlled and ticketed outdoor events and the reopening of night clubs for seated drinking only.

Home gatherings will lift to 20 visitors (previously 10), and outdoor gatherings to 50 (up from 20). Masks will no longer be required in office buildings.

The government stressed these changes to restrictions at 70 and 80 per cent will continue to be for fully vaccinated people only.

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said workers in regional areas, excluding Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Central Coast, can return to work on 11 October if they’ve had one vaccine dose.

Workers will then have until 1 November to be fully vaccinated.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced Thursday’s case numbers during the press conference, with NSW Health to provide an update at 11am.

Source: sbs.com.au