Why holiday-starved Australians might be forced to cancel their trips even if NSW hits 80 per cent fully-vaxxed rate within days – with Dominic Perrottet free to cancel a major freedom
Newly freed Sydneysiders will have to wait another two weeks before hitting the road, with holidays to regional New South Wales unable to go ahead due to sluggish Covid vaccination rates in country communities.
Although the state is set to smash the 80 per cent milestone by this weekend, triggering freedom of travel between Sydney and regional areas on Monday, the date is expected to be pushed back until October 25.
Dominic Perrottet’s crisis cabinet are set to discuss delaying regional holidays at the upcoming meeting, with health officials and policy makers concerned about the low take up of vaccinations in popular travel hot spots.
Newly freed Sydneysiders will have to wait another two weeks before hitting the road, with holidays to regional New South Wales unable to go ahead due to sluggish Covid vaccination rates in country communities. Pictured: Byron Bay in Northern NSW
Regional travel is unlikely to recommence until October 25. Pictured: Huskisson on the NSW South Coast
The premier hinted that the original October 25 date which would usher a new wave of eased restrictions, is likely to remain even if the 80 per cent target is eclipsed earier.
‘We have a road map that is set out at 70 per cent, 80 per cent and then December 1, but from time to time we may have to tweak that road map,’ he said on Tuesday.
At the forefront of concerns are popular travel destination like Byron Bay and the Hunter Valley vineyards where jab rates are lagging.
While NSW has achieved 75 per cent coverage, the Byron Shire in Northern NSW sits at just 47 per cent.
In the town of Cessnock – gateway to the Hunter Valley’s stunning wine region – just 58.4 per cent of residents aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated.
Coffs Harbour and Kempsey on the north and mid-north coast are also at 58 per cent, while Inverell in the Northern Tablelands and Junee in the Riverina have only managed 57 per cent coverage.
More to come.
Dominic Perrottet’s (pictured) crisis cabinet are set to discuss delaying regional holidays at the upcoming meeting,
Sydneysiders poured into pubs on Freedom Day after 106 days trapped in Covid lockdown
While NSW has achieved 75 per cent coverage, the Byron Shire in Northern NSW sits at just 47 per cent. Pictured: Wategoes beach at Byron Bay
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