Nadine Dilong A very small light at the end of the tunnel.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has just announced the roadmap out of lockdown for NSW, which sees beauty businesses able to reopen once 70% of eligible NSW residents are double vaccinated. Instead of announcing a set date, the Premier said it would be the Monday following reaching the milestone of 70%. By then, Greater Sydney will have been in lockdown for almost four months with many businesses struggling to stay afloat.
It was also announced that the reopening will happen under strict conditions for businesses, with beauty only allowed to service a maximum of five customers while ensuring the 4m2 rule per person. Most businesses will only be open to vaccinated customers.
Demand for beauty services is high, as shown by brow salon owner Kristin Fisher’s Instagram post yesterday, showing she had received over 900 bookings in a few hours after announcing her salon would likely be able to be open from mid-October.
It’s not exactly the news that many were hoping to hear today, with several newspapers prematurely reporting the government would announce October 18 as ‘Freedom Day’. While we’re not quite there yet, it feels like a step in the right direction.
The roadmap describes the following for retail and beauty businesses:
- 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.
How are you feeling about today’s announcement? Let us know in the comments.
