NSW is easing restrictions today

New freedoms for fully vaccinated people have come into effect today after the NSW government moved its COVID-19 roadmap forward. Originally slated for December 1, many freedoms not seen since before the Delta outbreak began in June have returned.

If you’re yet to receive both jabs, you’ll need to wait until December 15, or, until the state reaches 95 per cent double dose coverage for people aged 16 or older, before any of this applies to you. This is what’s changing today.

What restrictions have eased?

Caps on home visitors and density limits for outdoor gatherings of fewer than 1,000 people have been abolished. Those who are fully vaccinated will be able to hit the dance floor in nightclubs, which were previously open only for drinking.

Indoor swimming pools are able to open for leisure and paddling, rather than just laps and swimming lessons. Businesses that had been subjected to indoor density limits of one person per 4 square metres can now have one person per 2sqm. There will no longer be booking limits at hospitality venues. 

Entertainment facilities with fixed seating capacities like stadiums, theatres and cinemas will be able to operate at 100 per cent capacity, while other places like theme parks and zoos will be subject to the 2sqm density limits instead of the current caps. Sex services premises will also reopen from today.

What isn’t changing?

Gym and dance classes will continue to be capped at 20 people. You’ll still be required to wear a mask in indoor settings such as supermarkets until December 15 (or, when 95 per cent of the state’s population aged 16 and over is fully vaccinated).

What about people who aren’t vaccinated?

People who are not vaccinated were originally promised more freedoms on December 1. They’ll now have to wait until 95 per cent of people aged 16 or over in NSW are double vaccinated, or until December 15 – whichever one comes first. Until then, they will essentially have to continue living in lockdown.

They’ll only be allowed to enter essential businesses (like supermarkets), but barred from everywhere else, including hospitality venues, gyms and non-essential retail settings. The only exception is places of worship, which unvaccinated people are permitted to attend.