NSW records 319 COVID-19 cases as state closes in on 80 per cent double vaccination
Another 319 new local COVID-19 cases and two deaths have been reported in New South Wales, as the state rapidly approaches the 80 per cent double vaccination milestone set to trigger a further easing of restrictions.
The number of new cases reported in the 24-hour period to 8pm Friday is the state’s lowest daily tally in more than two months.
The number of people hospitalised with the virus, now 652, also continues to fall. Of that number, 138 are in intensive care.
The two new fatalities take the death toll from the current outbreak to 460.
NSW Health on Saturday morning also announced 91.7 per cent of people aged 16 and over have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 78.8 per cent have had two doses.
If the 80 per cent double dose vaccination mark is reached on Saturday or Sunday, NSW will progress to the next phase of its reopening roadmap on Monday.
That will mean the resumption of community sport, the removal of caps on weddings and funerals, and the return of dancing to hospitality venues.
But Sydneysiders wishing to travel to the regions will have to wait a little longer, Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Friday. That easing of restrictions has been delayed to 1 November, to give those in the regions time to get their second dose.
That date will also see the state remove from hotel quarantine and isolation requirements for fully vaccinated international arrivals.
Some 210 hotel quarantine spots each week will be reserved for returning Australians who don’t meet the vaccination requirement.
Meanwhile, residents of the ACT have been given the green light to visit a further 26 NSW postcode areas after a relaxing of coronavirus quarantine requirements.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr has announced the changes, which include Batemans Bay and Perisher Valley, will come into effect from midday on Saturday.
Travel without the need to quarantine for 14 days on return is now permitted across 53 NSW postcodes.
Source: sbs.com.au
