Despised 5km travel rule dropped, carpooling allowed but regional holidays still off the cards:

From next Monday the dreaded 5km travel rule will disappear in NSW unless you’re one of the unvaccinated residents who will have to wait until December 1 to leave the confines of your suburb.

This means those who make up the 70 per cent of vaccinated people in Greater Sydney will now be able to travel freely within the area, including to the Central Coast, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Blue Mountains. 

But residents of Greater Sydney will still be restricted from travelling to regional zones after the NSW government delayed this freedom until the next stage of re-opening when the 80 per cent fully vaccinated target is reached.

Those who make up the 70 per cent of vaccinated people in Greater Sydney will be able to travel freely within the area, including to the Central Coast, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Blue Mountains, from Monday, October 11

Sydneysiders have endured 15 weeks of lockdown, beginning on June 26, but from next Monday will no longer be restricted to their local government area

‘For the purposes of minimising regional travel initially we don’t want people in the Central Coast or Wollongong and Shellharbour, where there are significant case numbers, travelling into the regions,’ former Deputy Premier John Barilaro said. 

Those living in regional LGAs will be able to travel to other parts of the state but not enter the Greater Sydney region at this stage. 

Caravan parks will also re-open as part of the relaxed restrictions, while carpooling will again be permitted in Sydney.  

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet made the long-awaited announcement that the state had reached the 70 per cent fully vaccinated milestone late yesterday, paving the way to the reopening of pubs, restaurants, cafes, hairdressers and retail stores from next Monday, October 11.

Sydneysiders have endured 15 weeks of lockdown, beginning on June 26.

Mr Perrottet and the NSW crisis cabinet are re-examining the NSW roadmap to see whether other freedoms might be restored earlier than originally planned.

Mr Perrottet and the NSW crisis cabinet are re-examining the NSW roadmap to see whether other freedoms might be restored earlier than originally planned

Greater Sydney residents are not yet able to travel to regional centres such as Byron Bay (pictured). Residents in regional LGAs may move around other areas of the state but not visit Greater Sydney as yet

This could mean nightclubs and amusement parks, originally slated to return in December, could instead open within weeks when the jab rate is set to surpass 80 per cent.   

Restrictions around gatherings will also ease sooner than expected.

Up to 10 visitors will be allowed to gather inside homes across the state, and as many as 100 residents can attend weddings and funerals together from Monday. 

‘On Monday, swimming pools, which were previously closed until December 1, will be open,’ Mr Perrottet said. 

‘Indoor swimming pools will be open for rehabilitation, for child swimming, children’s swimming lessons, organised lap swimming and the like.’

Mr Perrottet was also gunning for the mandate which requires all indoor workers to wear face masks to be dropped ahead of the December 1 cut-off.  

‘As we hit the key 70 per cent and 80 per cent vaccination targets in coming days, we need to ensure that our focus remains on keeping people safe and continuing to strive for above 90 per cent vaccination rates,’ Mr Perrottet said.

‘Alongside this, we must have a sharp focus on how we support businesses and ensure people return to work and give the NSW economy the best chance of bouncing back.

‘As we head into December and over the summer period as businesses open… we’re going to have a very bright summer.’