Coronavirus Australia: Thousands of regional NSW residents will be freed from lockdown this Saturday

Thousands of regional NSW residents can forward to eased restrictions and being freed from lockdown within days.

Many local government areas across NSW with few or no coronavirus cases will be released from lockdown on Saturday.

They will also enjoy eased restrictions, including up to five visitors at home and  outdoor gatherings of up to 20.  

The announcement comes as NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian unveiled the state’s roadmap to freedom once 70 per cent of residents are fully vaccinated. 

Only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will have access to the freedoms allowed under the Reopening NSW roadmap.

The LGAs coming out of lockdown at 12.01am Saturday are deemed low risk and which have had zero Covid cases in the last fortnight.

‘This decision is based on NSW Health advice, and the LGAs which remain in lockdown will continue to be monitored and we will update those communities on a regular basis,’ Deputy Premier John Barilaro said

‘My strong advice to everyone in regional NSW is to get vaccinated as soon as you can. Our communities need to continue to get vaccinated so that when NSW reaches 70 and 80 per cent, restrictions can ease significantly.’ 

The following rules are in place for local government areas where stay at home orders will be lifted.

Gatherings in the home and public spaces:

· Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under).

· Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:

· Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.

· Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule.

· Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.

· Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.

· Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.

Schools:

· Schools will re-open with Level 3 COVIDSafe measures in place.

Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:

· Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people.

· Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.

· Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.

Weddings, funerals and places of worship:

· Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.

· Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.

· Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.

Travel:

· Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.

· Carpooling will be permitted.

Masks:

· Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.

· Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.

· Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.