Jessica Frost Dust off your open sign.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced the state’s roadmap to reopening with the state moving to the first stage of a three-phase plan to ease restrictions on October 11, the Monday after NSW is projected to reach 70 per cent vaccination coverage.
“I know people are counting down the minutes until we reach 70 per cent double dose and the freedoms that will provide, and today we are providing further certainty by announcing the 80 per cent roadmap and future settings,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Vaccination remains our ticket to freedom so we need to work even harder to get jabs in arms, to help stop the spread, minimise outbreaks and ensure people are protected when we open up.”
As previously announced, personal services such as clinics, spas and beauty salons can open alongside gyms, hospitality and non-essential retail following the 4sqm rule inside venues and 2sqm in outdoor areas. The one catch is that hair and beauty services are capped at 5 clients per premises.
The 5km travel radius will also be scrapped across the entire Greater Sydney area including those previously named Local Government Areas of concern. However, travel to Regional NSW areas will not be allowed during the first phase.
Restrictions will ease further once the 80% double vaccination rate is reached with personal services able to resume uncapped while continuing to follow the one person per 4sqm rule.
From 1 December 2021 personal services such as clinics, spa, massage and beauty can operate with one person per 2sqm regardless of vaccination status, so long as the state has hit its 80 per cent double dose target previously. Masks will only be required outdoors.
Controversially, business owners will have the choice whether or not they service unvaccinated clients from the 1st of December.
It’s certainly refreshing to have a clearer path forward. How are you and your team feeling about the news? Let us know in the comments.
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