Anti-vaxxers in NSW will only be locked out of pubs and restaurants for about three weeks under the state’s re-opening plan, John Barilaro said on Monday.
The Deputy Premier revealed vaccine passports for public venues will only be mandatory when the state’s Covid-19 vaccination rate is between 70 and 80 per cent.
Once the 80 per cent double dose rate is hit, businesses can decide to let unvaccinated patrons enter if they wish.
Pubs will finally open in NSW once 70 per cent of state is vaccinated against Covid-19. Pictured: People at the pub in Sydney in June
NSW – where 46 per cent are fully vaccinated – is predicted to hit the 70 per cent rate in mid October and the 80 per cent rate in early or mid November.
‘There will be businesses that don’t like the idea [of mandatory vaccines] but the 70 per cent road map gives us an opportunity to open up the economy and lift restrictions,’ Mr Barilaro told 2GB radio on Monday.
‘If they don’t want to do it that’s fine; you might have to wait another three to four weeks after that when we get to 80 per cent and above.
‘I apologise for that but it will only be a three to four weeks of short inconvenience.
‘According to the national road map and to the Doherty Institute report, we’ll go and then lift further restrictions including for the unvaccinated.’
The deputy premier made similar comments in a second interview on Canberra radio station 2CC.
‘We are turning unvaccinated customers [away] for a period of probably three weeks,’ he said.
‘For about a three week period [after the state hits 70 per cent coverage], we’re giving businesses an opportunity to open [for vaccinated customers].’
Last week Premier Gladys Berejiklian provided a roadmap out of lockdown with the state expected to reopen when 70 per cent of residents have been double-jabbed.
Sydneysiders will now be allowed to gather outdoors with up to five people as the first set of restrictions are rolled back across the city
Pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms, retail, and personal services like hair salons will be able to throw open their doors to the double vaccinated, with the one person per 4sqm rule indoors and the one person per 2sqm rule outdoors.
Customers will need to prove their vaccination status when they scan in via QR code using the Service NSW app.
But details about what will happen when 80 per cent of the population are vaccinated have not been fully released.
Ms Berejiklian said at this mark she wants to restart international travel and now Mr Barilaro has said vaccine passports will be scrapped.
It comes as Sydneysiders can now gather outdoors with up to five people as the first set of restrictions are rolled back across the city.
The new rules on outdoor gatherings came into effect for millions on Monday, marking the beginning of the end of a hard lockdown that has lasted almost 12 weeks in the city.
People living outside of the 12 local government areas are now able to meet outdoors with up to five adults plus children under 12 for an unlimited time
People living outside of the 12 hotspot local councils are now able to meet outdoors with up to five adults plus any children under 12 for as long as they want.
Residents living in the hotspot councils – who are subject to a 9pm-5am curfew – will be able to gather outdoors with their household for two hours a day as long as everyone is aged over 18.
Regardless of location, residents must be fully vaccinated and must do their outdoor activity within 5km of their homes.
Chief health officer Kerry Chant has described the rule change as a ‘baby step’ towards completely reopening the state.
‘I think that one has to keep them in proportion… we’re allowing a household who has been doing it tough in south-western Sydney and western Sydney to sit in the park as a household, if all of the adult members are vaccinated,’ she said.
‘To be perfectly frank, these steps are baby steps, recognising the serious situation we are in, it’s important that we are allowing those interactions, that human interaction in an outdoor space.’
A border bubble with Queensland has also restarted for 12 regional NSW areas that are being released from lockdown, allowing students and essential workers with one vaccine dose to enter the Sunshine state.
Residents living in the LGAs of concern – who are subject to a 9pm-5am curfew – will be able to gather outdoors with their household members for two hours per day as long as everyone is aged over 18
Regardless of location, residents must be fully-vaccinated to enjoy the new freedom
When the 70 per cent jab rate is hit, weddings and funerals can also go ahead with a limit with a 50-person cap on guests, along with religious services.
Up to five guests will be allowed in the home, with gathering of 20 permitted outdoors.
Sporting events will also be given the green light but under the one person per 4sqm rule with a limit of 5,000 spectators, while cinemas will be able to operate at 75 per cent capacity.
Those who refuse to get the jab will be banned from all these places and activities and only allowed access to essential services like supermarkets.
NSW schools will resume in stages between October 25 and November 8.
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has described the rule change as a ‘baby step’ towards completely reopening the state
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has provided a roadmap out of lockdown with the state expected to begin reopening when 70 per cent of residents have been double-jabbed
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell on Friday announced final-year students will sit their HSC exams and receive their results in time for university offers.
The NSW Education Standards Authority issued a revised timetable, with 110 exams taking place over 19 days, ending on December 3.
Students will receive their ATARs on January 20, 2022, with their HSC results released on January 24.
Ms Mitchell said after a disruptive and stressful year, students now had the certainty of a timetable and eight weeks to focus on preparing for their exams.
‘Being able to sit all their exams safely is the best and fairest outcome for our HSC students,’ she said.
‘Whether our students go on to university, vocational training or take on employment, it is important all of them are able to sit their exams and demonstrate what they know.
‘I know that teachers, families and friends are supporting our HSC students every step of the way, and that the whole NSW community is wishing them well after a tough 18 months.’