The NSW government has made significant changes to the state's Covid-19 roadmap, bringing forward new freedoms for fully vaccinated people and delaying privileges for those who've shunned the jab.
Family members embrace at the departure lounge at Sydney's International Airport as Australia's international border reopens almost 600 days after a pandemic closure began. Photo: AFP
A raft of restrictions due to be scrapped for people fully inoculated on 1 December will now be relaxed on Monday, 8 November.
Unvaccinated people had also been due to get freedoms on 1 December.
However, they will now have to wait until 15 December, or, whatever date NSW reaches 95 percent double dose coverage for people aged 16 and above.
In NSW, 93.6 percent of people aged 16 and up have had one jab, while 87.8 percent are fully vaccinated.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the state was inching to its target faster than expected.
The original freedoms for 1 December included lifting caps on visitors to the home, informal outdoor gatherings and hospitality settings.
Density limits will be eased, with most venues moving to the 2 square metre rule, including at hairdressers and all hospitality venues.
Gym and dance classes will still be capped at 20 people.
The current settings for masks, such as on public transport, will remain until the state hits its 95 percent double vaccination target.
Singing and dancing for both indoors and outdoors, including nightclubs, will also make a return.
On Tuesday, the state recorded 173 new locally-acquired Covid-19 cases and another four deaths.
There are now 333 people in hospital, 72 of whom require ventilation.
- ABC