NSW to hit 80 per cent Covid vaccination target this weekend – triggering new freedoms from MONDAY 

NSW is on track to hit the 80 per cent Covid vaccination milestone this weekend – meaning house parties and regional holidays could be allowed again across the state as early as next Monday.

Leaked figures from NSW Health showed the state’s double-dose vaccination rate has jumped by 1.26 per cent overnight to 75.23 per cent, Channel Nine reporter Chris O’Keefe tweeted.

The increase means NSW will likely hit the 80 per cent full vaccination rate over the weekend – triggering the next round of restriction easing a week early. 

The revelation comes as the state recorded 360 new local COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday, as well as five deaths.

A day after the state began to emerge from a near four-month lockdown, Premier Dominic Perrottet and Treasurer Matt Kean on Tuesday announced a package to support business.

Shops, gyms, cafes and hair salons were on Monday overrun as fully-vaccinated patrons responded to weeks of pent-up demand, and as people ventured more than five kilometres from home.

While authorities and business owners were nervous about potential conflict because unvaccinated people are currently denied entry and in-venue service, most in NSW were on their best behaviour.

Mr Perrottet said Tuesday’s announcement was ‘all about confidence’.

‘Last year, as we came through the pandemic, business confidence was key – was crucial – to driving economic growth, to ensuring that businesses continued to employ and bring people on,’ he said.

Eligible businesses with an annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million will be able to apply for a grant of up to $20,000 to compensate for loss of perishable stock, or claim $10,000 for reduced capacity to sell non-perishable items, if they are impacted by a lockdown.

‘As we head into the summer months and Christmas trade … businesses can go out and invest in their businesses,’ the premier said.

He insisted any future lockdown would be a last, not first, resort.

The package also includes toll road relief for businesses with an annual wages cost below $1.2 million which don’t qualify for payroll tax.

Those businesses will be able to claim road tolls under the small business fees and charges rebate, increased to $2000.

‘We know that is really going to support tradies,’ he said. 

More to come