Fully vaccinated residents in the Hunter will be awarded more freedoms next week as the state prepares to emerge from lockdown.

NSW passed it’s 70% double dose milestone yesterday (Wednesday 6 October) which means the easing of restrictions will begin on Monday 11 October.

The new Premier Dominic Perrottet met with the crisis cabinet late yesterday evening to make a number of changes to the roadmap out of lockdown.

The revisions mean fully vaccinated people can:

• Have up to 10 visitors (not including children 12 and under) in their home
• Gather outdoors in groups of up to 30 people
• Have 100 guests at a wedding or funeral

Indoor pools will also be allowed to host swimming lessons, squad training, lap swimming and rehab activities.

All school students will return to on site learning by 25 October. Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 students will be welcomed back sooner on 18 October.

Workers in regional areas who have only received one vaccination dose will be permitted to return to their workplace and will be given a grace period until 1 November to receive their second dose.  

On the Monday after the state hits the 80% double vaccination hurdle, further restrictions will be relaxed.

• Up to 20 visitors will be allowed to a home
• Outdoor gatherings can host up to 50 people
• Up to 3,000 people will be allowed to attend controlled and ticketed outdoor events
• Nightclubs will be permitted to reopen for seated drinking only (no dancing)
• Masks will no longer be required in office buildings

These freedoms will only apply to those who are fully vaccinated.

“Vaccinations are the key to life returning to normal and the changes today will help family and friends reconnect, get kids back to school and get businesses back up and running sooner,” Mr Perrottet said.

“NSW is putting in the hard yards and it’s important people continue to turn out in droves to be vaccinated.”

Bookings can be made via the Commonwealth Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.

For more information on COVID-19 restrictions, go the NSW Government’s website.

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