Freedom Day set for October 4 with NSW pubs and restaurants to open for ‘vaccine passport’ trial

Date is FINALLY revealed for when the first NSW pubs will open their doors after months in lockdown for a ‘vaccine passport’ trial – and it’s good news for the entire state


Pubs and restaurants are set to throw open their doors on October 4 to trial the NSW government’s vaccine passport app – about two weeks before the entire state is set to celebrate ‘Freedom Day’.

Health authorities and the state’s policymakers are desperate to test the new technology which will enable double-dosed residents to prove their vaccination status when businesses are tipped to reopen statewide in mid-October.

But while the news is sure to be welcomed by long-suffering Sydneysiders now in their 13th week of Covid lockdown, the pilot scheme is ‘almost certainly’ set to go ahead in regional NSW, Nine News reported.

Sydney will have to bide their time until the long-awaited Freedom Day tipped for October 18 when the state hits its vaccination target.

Pubs and restaurants are set to throw open their doors on October 4 to trial the NSW government’s vaccine passport app. Pictured: A restaurant in Sydney’s Newtown

Pictured: NSW MP Victor Dominello shows what the vaccine passport app will look like

Pictured: NSW MP Victor Dominello shows what the vaccine passport app will look like

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has flagged that NSW will finally emerge from its gruelling lockdown in mid October when vaccination rates hit 70 per cent coverage. 

But the long-awaited freedoms will not be made available to anyone who has not received the jab.

Customers and patrons at non-essential venues including pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms and hair salons, will need show they’ve been double-jabbed via QR code when checking in using the Service NSW app, with anyone who doesn’t get the ‘green light’ refused entry.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro if businesses fail to keep an eye on who is coming in they will cop severe penalties.

‘There will be a poster on the front window to say the business is vaccinated… and we will make sure it is very visible for the public,’ he said.

‘There will be significant fines for breaches.’ 

Businesses that allow unvaccinated customers through their doors or hire staff who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will face 'significant fines,' the NSW government has warned. Pictured: Bar staff at Summer Hill in Sydney

Businesses that allow unvaccinated customers through their doors or hire staff who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will face ‘significant fines,’ the NSW government has warned. Pictured: Bar staff at Summer Hill in Sydney

The state is set to emerge from its gruelling lockdown in mid October when vaccination rates hit 70 per cent coverage, but the long-awaited freedoms will not be made available to anyone who has not received the jab. Pictured: Patrons at Sydney's Opera Bar

The state is set to emerge from its gruelling lockdown in mid October when vaccination rates hit 70 per cent coverage, but the long-awaited freedoms will not be made available to anyone who has not received the jab. Pictured: Patrons at Sydney’s Opera Bar

Under the reopening plan shops and venues will still to operate with the one person per 4sqm rule enforced indoors and the one person per 2sqm rule adhered to outdoors. 

Weddings and funerals will also be allowed go ahead with a 50-person cap on guests, along with religious services.

Up to five guests will be permitted in the home, with gatherings of 20 permitted outdoors.

Sporting events will be given the green light but under the one person per 4sqm rule with a limit of 5000 spectators, while cinemas will be able to operate at 75 per cent capacity.

Those who refuse to get the jab will not be granted access to the same freedoms as those who are fully vaccinated and only allowed to attend essential venues such as supermarkets.

COUNTDOWN TO FREEDOM: THE DATES YOU NEED TO KNOW

September 11: Some regional areas set free

Several regional areas including the Mid and North Coast, New England, Riverina and Murrumbidgee, will emerge from lockdown at 11.59pm on Friday after almost a month of living under stay-at-home orders.  

September 13: Vax picnics

Fully-vaccinated Sydneysiders will soon be able to enjoy picnics in the sun.

The ‘vax picnic’ rule means anyone living outside the 12 LGAs of concern can meet in a group of five for a picnic, but all must be double-jabbed.

October 4:

Pubs and restaurants in regional areas of NSW are set to trial the state government’s vaccine passport technology that will allow double-dossed residents to prove their vaccination status when scanning into a venue using QR Code.

October 18: ‘Freedom Day’

The date is likely to coincide with NSW reaching a 70 per cent vaccination rate which means pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms and hair salons could reopen under the one person per 4sq/m rule to the fully-vaccinated only.

Non-essential shops would also be allowed to reopen. 

Wedding and funerals would also go ahead but there will be limits on guests. 

Venues such as night clubs however will not be included until higher vaccination rates are achieved. 

Late October/Early November: Regional holidays begin 

Once vaccination target reach 80 per cent, which could come as soon as late October, cooped-up Sydneysiders, including those in the city’s 12 LGAs of concern, will soon be able to pack their bags for a domestic holiday. 

But travellers will need to be double-dosed and apply for a special travel permit under the Service NSW app.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk