Sport and overseas visitors options for NSW when 80pc vax target reached

With NSW hurtling towards the 80 per cent double-vaxxed target for reopening, government ministers are discussing what post-Covid normal might look like.

A return to community sport, and opening up the state to international travellers are among some of the ­options being discussed by ministers for when NSW hits the 80 per cent vaccination target.

With NSW expected to hit 70 per cent in as few as 10 days – making October 11 the likely “freedom” day, state ministers are already locked in discussions about what might happen at 80 per cent.

Community sport could return when NSW hits the 80 per cent double-vaccination target. Picture: iStock

It is understood the plan, which is expected to be finalised early next week, will cover sport and travel, along with a reduction in caps.

The four square metre rule in pubs and clubs that will be in place at 70 per cent is ­expected to be revised to two square metres.

But it’s not just restrictions that are dominating discussions, with the government also concerned about what guidance to give businesses on how to deal with unvaccinated customers once restrictions lift.

The state government is set to trial a vaccine passport on October 6 within a regional local government area, but how businesses will be advised on how to deal with customers who don’t have a passport is yet to be determined.

Beyond 80 per cent, or the third phase of reopening, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said he believed NSW should open to everyone, providing all NSW residents were given the opportunity to be vaccinated.

“Once every single person in this state has had the opportunity to be vaccinated with two doses then we should open up for everyone,” Mr Perrottet said.

“I want to see more unity and not a two-tiered society.

“It’s not the government’s role to provide freedom, ­people born in this country, by default, are free.”

Victor Dominello and Dominic Perrottet are keen for NSW to return to pre-Covid normal as soon as possible. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Customer Service Victor Dominello said he agreed with Mr Perrottet that life needed to go back to “pre-Covid ­normal” once everyone had been given the opportunity to be ­vaccinated.

However, he said there might still be some settings where a vaccine passport could be required.

“I’m with Dom in wanting to go back to normal, to get back to pre-Covid life as soon as it is safe to do so,” Mr ­Doninello said.

“The other states will probably remain behind us by a month at least in vaccination and you might require a vaccine passport, and also in high-risk settings such as nursing homes.”

It comes as Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced 1043 new cases for NSW.

She also warned against seeing the 70 per cent vaccine target as ‘freedom day’”.

“I am always wary of using terms like freedom day, ­because when we start to open up it must be step-by-step,” she said.

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