The Everest 2021: Officials take Covid-safe steps to protect crowd

NSW is edging tantalisingly closer to eclipsing the 80 per cent vax rate which could mean unlocking more freedoms for The Everest.

The Everest on Saturday will be the biggest event in NSW since June as the nation's economic engine room roars back to life.

It comes as the state edges tantalisingly closer to eclipsing the 80 per cent vax rate on the weekend, unlocking more freedoms.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said some restrictions may be released “a little bit earlier than we thought” if NSW reaches the 80 per cent double-dose threshold over the weekend.

“It’s something that’s on the table,” he said, adding it would be discussed at a Covid committee meeting on Thursday.

Last year’s Everest Day, fwaturing the crowd social distancing. Picture: David Swift

The NSW Government has put in place rules for The Everest over and above public health orders, insisting masks be worn indoors – unless eating or drinking – and outdoors at points of crowding.

At present, drinking while standing will not be allowed.

Crowd numbers were doubled to 10,000 at the start of the week and although that is just a quarter of previous turnouts for the world’s richest race on turf, there could still be delays getting on to the course.

Entry will be a three-stage process.

Spectators will have vaccination passports checked before they sign in via QR code and then produce the barcode on their ticket to enter via turnstiles.

Once inside, punters will be directed to specific areas to maintain proper social distancing and prevent overcrowding.

The Australian Turf Club has drafted administration staff, including senior managers, to work the gates at Royal Randwick to speed up the check-in process.

“We have redeployed many of our permanent staff to race-day roles to minimise delays during the entry process,” an ATC spokesman said.