Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

NSW records 787 new COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths as roadmap out of lockdown revealed

NSW has recorded 787 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 on Monday and 12 deaths, with details announced on the state’s three-staged roadmap out of lockdown.

The state has now tipped over its target of 60 per cent double dose vaccination, with restrictions to begin to ease when 70 per cent of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated, which is expected to be around 11 October.

“It is just this week and next week that we have to hang in there for,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Monday.

“We are nearly, nearly there, and let’s not give up at the last minute. I know how hard it’s been, because we have all experienced what we’ve missed out on, and I think all of us will be thinking about what we can do on 11 October, who we’d like to see and what we’d like to do.”

The premier said she expects the state to reach its 80 per cent double dose vaccination target around two weeks later, when NSW residents can enjoy greater ‘freedoms’.

These will include travel to regional NSW, originally slated to kick in at the 70 per cent vaccination mark.

At the 80 per cent target, NSW residents will also be able to welcome 10 visitors to their home, community sport can resume, hospitality venues can reopen to standing patrons, people can attend a place of worship, and caps will be removed on funerals, weddings and personal services such as hairdressers.

The final stage of the roadmap to freedom will kick in on around 1 December, when around 90 per cent of the eligible population is expected to have been vaccinated.

At this point, all restrictions will ease, the two-square-metre rule will apply and ‘freedoms’ can be enjoyed by both the vaccinated and unvaccinated, the premier said.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said those who do not get vaccinated will miss out on the new ‘freedoms’.

“The message to the unvaccinated is you will not achieve any further freedom until you get vaccinated,” he said.

He said there was “no excuse” for people in the regions not to get vaccinated.

“The 70 per cent roadmap does apply to the whole state so there will be individuals in regional and rural NSW who choose not to be vaccinated who will lose their freedoms on 11 October.

“With Moderna coming online and the additional Pfizer supply and AstraZeneca in abundance there is no excuse in rural and regional NSW not to get vaccinated. Let’s keep climbing with the vaccination rates, a fantastic number so far but let’s not fall behind in the regions because freedom day is not far away.”

Around 40 per cent of 12 to 15 year olds have now received their first dose.

The news comes as outdoor pools across the state re-open and the construction industry gets back to full capacity on Monday.

Source: sbs.com.au