NSW Covid updates: 80 per cent freedoms could come early

Premier Dominic Perrottet will not rule out introducing extra freedoms early if the 80 per cent double vaccinated target is reached this weekend.

Extra freedoms could come as soon as next week with Premier Dominic Perrottet not ruling out bringing forward the easing of restrictions if NSW passes the 80 per cent vaccination threshold on Monday.

NSW is currently projected to have 80 per cent of over-16 residents double-dosed as early as Sunday.

The figures come as NSW Health released news on Tuesday night of a positive Covid case on a flight from Brisbane.

Anyone who was on flight QF509 which left Brisbane at 7.10 last Saturday morning and arrived in Sydney at 9.45am is a close contact and must get tested and isolate, regardless of the result.

If the 80 per cent target is met before the end of the weekend, NSW residents will wait as little as 24 hours to get their reward, which includes being able to welcome 20 people in the home, the return of community sport for vaccinated people, and regional travel.

The double-dose vaccination rate on Tuesday reached 75.2 per cent.

Premier Dominic Perrottet and Treasurer Matt Kean meet florist Sophie Geisser at her shop in Surry Hills. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip

Across NSW, 90.8 per cent of over 16s have had at least one Covid vaccine dose.

Under the current road map, if the 80 per cent double dose target is hit on Monday October 18, those freedoms would be delayed a week.

However, Mr Perrottet has not ruled out easing restrictions earlier than planned if the figure is hit on Monday or Tuesday.

“We will continue to consider the wider health impacts across all of NSW of reopening at 80 per cent,” he said.

But provisions allowing regional travel under the next tranche of freedoms could be a stumbling block.

It’s understood the speed of vaccination in Greater Sydney compared to slower rates in some areas of regional NSW will be considered in cabinet discussions about reopening.

Extra freedoms could be on the way as soon as next week. Picture: Richard Dobson

Infectious diseases expert Paul Griffin said a one week gap between freedoms at 70 and 80 per cent was not too hasty.

“What we’ve seen is a Freedom Day unlike what the UK saw, (in Australia) it has been a gradual increase, particularly focusing on more freedoms for vaccinated people,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t see a huge spike in cases that people are concerned about.

“I’m hopeful there will be some learned behaviours where people get tested, wear their mask and wash their hands.”

Case numbers continued to dwindle with 360 new infections from almost 89,000 tests reported on Tuesday.

Under expanded freedoms conditional upon reaching an 80 per cent vax rate, vaccinated people could travel anywhere in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Based on current modelling, NSW will reach a double dose rate of 90 per cent on October 26 indicating that the immunisation rate could be very close to 100 per cent by the time the state opens for all residents on December 1.

When restrictions are eased at the 80 per cent threshold, masks will not be required in the office. Drinking while standing will be allowed, and a 20 person cap on hospitality bookings may be removed.

Vaccinated people will be allowed to travel anywhere in the state.