NSW Covid Updates: 1405 cases, five deaths as regional lockdown lifted

Australia has reached the milestone of 40 per cent of the eligible population being fully vaccinated, while NSW has recorded 1405 new Covid cases and five deaths and is easing some regional restrictions from Saturday. Follow our live blog.

NSW has recorded 1405 new Covid cases and five deaths as a raft of freedoms for double vaccinated people is unveiled and regional lockdowns are lifted. 

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she wouldn't put a date on when restrictions would ease but the freedoms would come on the Monday after NSW reaches 70 per cent double vaccinated.

Parts of regional NSW that had had zero cases for at least two weeks will be lifted out of locked on September 11 but restrictions will remain in place.

Eligible areas will be able to have limited visitors in the home and gather outside while hospitality, retail and gyms will also be allowed to open in those regions under strict rules on capacity.

Schools in “low-risk” towns will also reopen but with Covid safe measures in place.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro while some regional areas will come out of lockdown, many including Bathurst, Central Coast, Far West and the Hunter will still remain under stay at home orders.

The latest deaths reported on Thursday include two men in their 80s, two women in their 70s and a woman in her 40s.

Follow below for live updates.

NSW recorded 1,405 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Two new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, and 23 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation. pic.twitter.com/kztOigGRBW

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) September 9, 2021