The real freedom for NSW residents comes from 1 November.
NSW Government will remove all quarantine requirements and caps for overseas arrivals who the Federal Government recognises as fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved vaccine.
The NSW government has not provided advice about testing requirements for arrivals. However, Health authorities will be provided with a separate guideline about it in the coming days.
Fully vaccinated travellers already in quarantine will also complete their quarantine requirements on November 1, even if it is less than 14-days.
International travellers who are not fully vaccinated will be capped at 210 people per week and will be required to undergo mandatory 14-days hotel quarantine.
However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has clarified this opening of unrestricted International travel is only for Australian citizens, Permanent residents and close family members.
Travel within NSW:
Travel between Greater Sydney (including the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Central Coast) and Regional NSW will also be permitted from 1 November, to allow people in the regions more time to receive their second vaccine.
To support regional businesses likely to be impacted by this change the NSW Government will defer the second taper of the JobSaver program until October 31.
“Eligible regional businesses will receive 30 per cent of weekly payroll, before tapering payments to the scheduled 15 per cent from November 1.”
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the easing of restrictions and return of overseas travellers would help reunite families and be a significant boost for the economy.
“We have reached this vaccination milestone quicker than anyone thought we could, and that is a testament to the hard work of people across the State turning out to get vaccinated,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Welcoming back fully vaccinated travellers will not only mean families and friends can be home in time for Christmas, but it will also give our economy a major boost.”
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the tough decision had been made to delay travel between Regional NSW and Greater Sydney, by 1 November, it’s expected more than 77 per cent of regional LGAs will be fully vaccinated.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres welcomed the 80 per cent reopening and recognised it as an important step on the road to recovery.
“We are opening up locally and we are opening up to the world. Now is a time for people to come together in a safe way whether it be returning home from overseas or enjoying your favourite local venue.”
All premises continue to operate at one person per 4sqm indoors and one person per 2sqm outdoors.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW community had done an extraordinary job to reach the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target and was leading Australia out of the pandemic.
“The people of NSW have pulled together to achieve this fantastic outcome and bring us closer to life as we knew it before the pandemic, but we’re not there yet,” Mr Hazzard said.
“We can’t forget that COVID is still circulating amongst us in NSW and we need to keep getting vaccinated to push the double dose rates even higher. We want to get as close to 100 per cent double vaccination as possible to keep everyone safe.”
NSW residents will still need to comply with COVID-Safe check-ins and provide proof of vaccination to staff in most settings.
More restrictions will be relaxed on 1 December, as previously announced in the Reopening NSW Roadmap.
To find out how to download a copy of your vaccination certificate visit the Services Australia website. If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon as possible.
For the latest information and to view the 80 per cent Roadmap and lifting of restrictions, visit nsw.gov.au