NSW Covid: Lack of public health orders on roadmap to freedom draws confusion

The lack of public health orders explicitly outlining what will be allowed when NSW reaches the 70 per cent vaccination rate has added to the public’s confusion around Covid rules.

Government MPs are pushing for the cap of 5000 patrons at outdoor recreation facilities to be removed after punters at the famous Everest race day were limited by the rule.

It comes as the City of Sydney last night cancelled this year’s New Year’s Eve 9pm fireworks despite reopening plans, citing “continued uncertainty” — a position set to spark backlash from more optimistic government MPs. The midnight fireworks are set to go ahead in a limited capacity.

MPs are privately pointing to apparent inconsistencies in the roadmap to reopening.

Under the publicly released plans, only 5000 people will be allowed at Royal Randwick for The Everest, but indoor ­entertainment facilities can ­operate under the one person per four square metres rule, up to 75 per cent of their capacity, with no fixed cap.

The 9pm New Year’s Eve fireworks on Sydney Harbour have been cancelled for the second year running. Picture: AAP Image

The cap on 5000 people for outdoor major recreation facilities comes despite the consistent message that outdoor environments are far safer than indoor settings.

Under the current rules, events at Stadium Australia – with a normal capacity of more than 83,000 – would be limited to just 5000 fans. The smaller Qudos Bank Arena, if it was not being used as a vaccination hub, would be able to cater for 13,650 people — 75 per cent of its normal seated capacity.

A spokeswoman for Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the “finer details” of the reopening road map are “currently being worked through”.

She said seated “movement of people can be controlled” in indoor entertainment venues compared to major outdoor ­facilities. The spokeswoman did not address the disparity between indoor and outdoor stadiums where people are seated.

A health worker hands a member of the public a face mask at the Qudos Bank Arena NSW Health Vaccination Centre. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Government members have cited the 5000 cap on major outdoor venues as one of a number of inconsistencies in the current road map for ­reopening at the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination rate.

Another is a rule limiting weddings to just 50 people, ­regardless of a venue’s size. Under the current plan, ­Doltone House at Darling ­Island Wharf could host up to 625 people for a business function, but only 50 for a wedding.

Dancing would be banned at the business function, but ­allowed at the wedding. Other settings would be the same.

A lack of public health ­orders explicitly outlining what will and won’t be legal when NSW reaches the 70 per cent threshold has added to public confusion about the rules.

Pressed on when health orders will be signed, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said they were “still being worked through”.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard caused confusion at his press conference on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

There is also concern within the government that the ServiceNSW app won’t be ready to display a person’s vaccination certificate alongside QR code check-in status in time for the state to reopen as early as October 11.

The app still needs to be trialled before it is rolled out across the state, and the NSW government is yet to receive data from the Commonwealth which will allow it to work.

A ServiceNSW spokesman gave the assurance that if the app isn’t working by the time restrictions are eased, people will be able to use their Medicare vaccination certificate to enter venues.

Mr Hazzard created further confusion on Tuesday when he said the government hasn’t “sorted through” what rules will apply to unvaccinated people in Covid-free regional areas when 70 per cent of NSW is fully-vaccinated.

Currently, unvaccinated people in areas that have come out of lockdown can visit hospitality venues. Previously, Mr Barilaro has said that freedom will be taken away at the 70 per cent double-dose point for people that have not yet ­received both jabs.