AusLeisure

In response to the faster-than-expected rate of vaccination and the roll out of booster shots,  the NSW government has brought forward several freedoms for people who are fully vaccinated as a number of COVID restrictions that were due to be eased on 1^st December will instead be scrapped next Monday, 8^th November.

For those who remain unvaccinated, they face an even longer wait before they can enjoy more privileges. The unvaccinated were originally promised more freedoms on 1^st December, however they will now have to wait until 95% of people aged 16 or over in NSW are double vaccinated, or until 15^th December – whichever one is first.

They will only be allowed to enter essential businesses (such as supermarkets), but will be prevented from entering everywhere else, including hospitality venues, gyms and non-essential retail settings. The only exception is places of worship, which unvaccinated people are permitted to attend.

For the fully vaccinated, from 8^th November, the following changes will take place:

• There will be no limit on how many people can visit someone's home, and no density rules for outdoor gatherings of fewer than 1,000 people.
• Dancing in nightclubs will be allowed - currently nightclubs are only allowed to open for people to drink in.
• Indoor swimming pools will be able to reopen for leisure and paddling, rather than just laps and swimming lessons.
• Entertainment facilities with fixed seating capacity such as stadiums, theatres and cinemas will be able to operate at 100% capacity, while others like theme parks and zoos will be subject to the 2 square metre density limits instead of the current caps.
• Businesses will be permitted to welcome more fully vaccinated customers, moving to a one person per 2 square metre density limit.

What isn't changing?

• Gym and dance classes will continue to be capped at 20 people.
• Mask wearing is still required in indoor settings such as supermarkets until 15^th December.

Premier Perrottet said he hoped pushing back the date for extra freedoms for the unvaccinated would encourage more people to get the jab and advised "we believe that by moving that date back to the 15th of December it will incentivise people.

"We are hopeful that we can get that rate up to 95% — that will not just be nation-leading, it will be world-leading as well."

To maintain high levels of immunity across the community, NSW Health has commenced rolling out a booster vaccination program at its clinics to individuals aged 18 and older who received their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine six months or more ago. Pfizer will be used for boosters regardless of the COVID-19 vaccine received for the first or second dose. 

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant warned people to remain cautious explaining "It is critical that as we go through this transition phase, we need to retain those COVIDSafe practices.

"Even if you are fully vaccinated, you need to get tested if you have symptoms and you need to stay home. Those small steps can really help us to keep the virus in the community suppressed."

Related Articles

2nd November 2021 - Ticketek integrates mobile tickets with COVID check-in and vaccination status apps

2nd November 2021 - Anantara highlights COVIDSafe requirements as Thailand reopens borders to international tourism

31st October 2021 - Latest Ausplay reports shows volunteers as key to sport’s successful return post COVID-19

25th October 2021 - New Chinese COVID outbreaks sees postponement of Beijing and Wuhan marathons

22nd October 2021 - Western Australian Government introduces strict COVID vaccine mandate for high risk and critical occupations

22nd October 2021 - NRL reluctant to follow AFL in mandating COVID-19 vaccine

22nd October 2021 - AFL introduces ‘no jab no play’ COVID-19 vaccination mandate

19th October 2021 - Sydney receives multi-million dollar support to boost its COVID recovery

18th October 2021 - Victorian Government’s COVID easing relaxes rule for pubs but keeps restrictions for gyms and sport facilities

18th October 2021 - COVID impact sees Australian Government fund live music sector and leading arts organisations

9th October 2021 - Officials acknowledge COVID challenges facing Beijing Winter Olympics

8th October 2021 - Sydney Film Festival to be first major festival for Sydney audiences following lifting of COVID restrictions

7th October 2021 - Business Events Industry Aotearoa conference postponed despite unveiling of New Zealand’s COVID roadmap

1st October 2021 - Victorian Premier announces COVID vaccines will be mandatory for all essential workers in the state

1st October 2021 - Business Events Council of Australia critical of Government plans to shutdown COVID Disaster Payments

22nd September 2021 - Sydney’s Northern Beaches plan for crowd management as COVID restrictions ease

20th September 2021 - Australian Regional Tourism critical of governments’ piecemeal response to COVID

17th September 2021 - NRL clubs to receive up to $7 million in funding in COVID-19 Relief Package

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.