NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has hinted at what people can look forward to in October, if vaccination targets are met. Dare to dream, dare to hope, etc, etc.
Barilaro appeared on Sunrise on Monday morning, and revealed what kind of “freedoms” NSW can expect when the state hits its vaccine targets of 70 and 80 per cent.
“At 70 per cent, we’ll lift a series of restrictions – what we would say [are] low-risk restrictions and at 80 per cent you’ll get more greater freedoms,” Barilaro said.
The deputy premier said he expects NSW to hit the 70 per cent vaccine target in the middle of October, which could see the return of alfresco dining, and the potential opening of pubs, clubs, cafes, and retail. Yes, pubs.
“But you’d put in place a whole heap of COVID measures, like the four-square metre rule, mask-wearing, social distancing,” Barilaro continued.
“So they’re the sort of things we’re looking at – community, individual business industry, and we are now working with those industries directly to make sure we have in place those COVID plans as we start to lift those restrictions from 70 per cent onwards.”
“We can go back to things like al fresco dining, you can maybe look at pubs, clubs, cafes and retail reopening”
NSW Deputy Premier @JohnBarilaroMP on what life will look like for fully vaccinated residents once the state hits 70 per cent double-dose coverage. pic.twitter.com/XMJmeRggDQ
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) August 29, 2021
In the meantime, Barilaro said the state would perhaps trial some measures in the lead up to October, like updates to the Service NSW app.
The app is being rejigged to let people sign-in to venues using a QR code, while showing their vaccination status at the same time.
Last week, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that people across NSW who received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed more freedoms from September 13.
For those who live outside the LGAs of concern, outdoor gatherings of up to five people will be allowed as long as they stay within 5km of their home. And for those who live in the LGAs of concern, households with all adults vaccinated will be able to gather outdoors for picnics within the exisiting rules.
During the premier’s 11am presser on Monday, Berejiklian warned: “If you’re not vaccinated, don’t expect any freedoms at 70 per cent.”
NSW recorded 1,290 new locally-acquired cases on Monday, from 157,221 COVID-19 tests since 8pm on Sunday night.
