Millions of New South Wales residents can look forward more freedoms next week, despite growing Covid-19 numbers.
A host of restrictions on funerals and the real estate industry are set to be eased from Monday while the singles bubble will be extended for those struggling on their own at home during lockdown.
Changes to the public health order were signed off on Wednesday following a crisis state cabinet meeting.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is expected to provide more detail at Thursday’s Covid briefing, a day after the state announced a record 919 new cases.
She could also announce more freedoms for fully vaccinated residents in areas where there are few cases, including haircuts and lift those in regional areas not ravaged by Covid out of lockdown this Saturday.
The ease of restrictions comes as confirmation from Prime Minister Scott Morrison that businesses are within their rights to turn away anyone who refuses to get the Covid-19 jab under existing laws.
Funerals services will be permitted in the 12 Covid-ravaged Sydney hotspots under a subclause allowing ‘a gathering for a small funeral or memorial service’ as a valid reason for an outdoor gathering.
People living on their own can add a second nominated visitor if ‘the nominated visitor of the person becomes unable to be the person’s nominated visitor’, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Those living in hotspots areas will be able leave their homes on compassionate grounds or to meet a friend outdoors to support them through a difficult time.
The real estate industry will be boosted by new rules allowing residents to leave home to inspect a property and relocate between properties.
Meanwhile, businesses are within their rights to turn away anyone who refuses to get the Covid-19 jab under existing laws, the Prime Minister has confirmed.
Scott Morrison has told federal parliament refusing service is a ‘legitimate thing’ for businesses to do in order to protect their staff and customers, despite warnings from the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Millions of Australians have rolled up their sleeves for the jab on the promise of more freedoms once they’ve had both jabs.
A business can refuse entry or service to anyone as long as they don’t breach anti-discrimination laws based on race, age, gender or disability under existing laws and have the backing of the prime minister to do so.
Businesses are within their rights refuse to service anyone who isn’t vaccinated. Pictured is a fishmonger in Sydney’s south-west
‘That’s a legitimate thing for them to do,’ Mr Morrison told Parliament on Wednesday.
‘They’re doing that to protect their own workers, to protect their other clients.
‘It’s got nothing to do with ideology, or these issues around liberty,
‘We all believe in freedom, but we also believe in people being healthy.
‘And the simple fact is, if you’re not vaccinated you present a greater health risk to yourself, to your family, to your community and others about you.’
However, the Australian Human Rights Commission has urged businesses and service providers should be cautious about imposing a blanket rule requiring vaccination as a condition of entry, or for the delivery or provision of goods, services and facilities.
‘There are medical reasons why a person may not be able to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, or may choose not to in their circumstances, including because of protected attributes such pregnancy or disability,’ the commission states on its website.
‘Additionally, at present, many younger Australians have not been eligible for particular Covid-19 vaccinations at all, or for shorter periods of time than older Australians.’
Australians are flocking to be vaccinated on the promise of more freedoms. Pictured are queues at the Sydney Olympic Park vaccination hub
More half of all Australians aged over-16 have received one vaccine dose while 31.6 per cent are now fully vaccinated.
The National Cabinet will meet on Friday to discuss a proposal to link certain freedoms to a vaccine passport once 70-80 per cent of the population is fully vaccination.
Freedoms could include attending It could be key to going to sporting events, concerts and businesses will have the right to turn away people who aren’t vaccinated.
But Mr Morrison is facing resistance from some of his own MPs, who argue a vaccine passport will create two classes of citizens.
The Prime Minister (pictured) says businesses have a right to protect staff and other customers