Northern Rivers lockdown to be lifted, NSW Government confirms

The Northern Rivers is one of the areas to be opened up from Saturday morning, but those who aren’t fully vaccinated could have some freedoms taken away down the track.

Crowds could soon be able to return to Byron Bay’s Main Beach. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Update 1.45pm:

While lockdown will be lifted for much of regional NSW this weekend, those who haven’t been double-vaccinated could face more restrictions again once the state’s vaccine-linked roadmap kicks in.

NSW Deputy Premier during a press conference on Thursday residents of Northern NSW must understand that when 70 per cent of the state has received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccination, those who are unvaccinated or not fully-vaccinated may lose certain freedoms.

“When we get to 70 per cent double dose across the state, unvaccinated people will not get any extra freedoms in Sydney and in the regions they might lose some of the freedoms they will be enjoying now, so people in regional NSW must get vaccinated,” Mr Barilaro said.

Mr Barilaro said Sydney residents would not be able to visit Northern NSW unless authorised by the government when lockdown lifts for the region at 12.01am on Saturday.

“Nothing has changed; people can’t leave Sydney unless they are authorised, there is a level of protection that will remain,” he said.

“In regards to the roadmap, when we have 70 per cent double-dose vaccinated people in the state, Sydney residents will be able to travel to regional NSW.”

He said community sport would only be allowed across the state when the state vaccination rate hits 80 per cent.

He also said two people could visit people in hospitals or nursing homes once lockdown is lifted.

“The care providers will have the right to veto certain visitors,” he said.

“Institutions can make the final decision, but as a rule, two people can visit someone in a nursing home.”

Mr Barilaro has said the end of lockdown would be a good place to begin discussing a relaxation of border restrictions with the Queensland government.

“Based on the lifting of restrictions in the Northern Rivers and the Tweed, (the Queensland government) is keen to recommence conversations about the border,” Mr Barilaro said

“Hopefully, we will be working side-by-side on new arrangements for the Queensland border.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian addresses the media to provide an update on COVID-19. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Earlier:

All local government areas on the Northern Rivers will leave lockdown from Saturday morning, the NSW government has confirmed.

The region will join a host of other regional and rural NSW locations where Covid-19 restrictions will be eased.

“Today the NSW government is announcing that parts of NSW will be coming out of regional lockdown,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said at a Thursday morning press conference.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said while some areas would remain under stay-at-home orders, a “vast amount of the regions” including the North Coast would open.

But he warned there would still be a “restricted environment” and new cases could see regions return to lockdown.

“If there is an active case in your community you will go back into lockdown for a minimum of 14 days,” he said.

The lockdown will officially lift for “low risk” areas from 12.01am on Saturday, September 11,

The following freedoms will be available to all people in regional areas which are opening up:

Gatherings in the home and public spaces:

• Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under).
• Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.
  

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:

• Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4 sqm inside and one person per 2 sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
• Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4 sqm, capped at five clients per premises.
  
• Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4 sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.
• Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.
  

Schools:

• Schools will reopen with Level 3 Covid Safe measures in place.

Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:

• Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4 sqm, capped at 5,000 people.
• Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.
  
• Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4 sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
  

Weddings, funerals and places of worship:

• Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.
• Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4 sqm rule, with no singing.
  

Travel:

• Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.
  
• Carpooling will be permitted.

Masks:

• Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.
• Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.
  
• Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.