Vaccination rates mean NSW can start returning to normal in October
While Sydney won’t host this year’s NRL grand final there are still huge sporting events fans will be able to attend as the city gears up for reopening next month.
NSW
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Fans will be in the stands to watch a Socceroos World Cup match, a plan has been hatched to have crowds at The Everest race meeting, and pubs and clubs are gearing up to welcome back drinkers as NSW prepares for an ‘Octoberfest’ partial return to normal life.
With vaccination rates heading towards 70 and 80 per cent, the federal and NSW governments are on track to lift restrictions on October 18 — which will mean a Christmas of shopping, church, partying, travelling and lunching with loved ones.
And pubs and clubs are on track to welcome vaccinated patrons back in October, too.
VACCINATED FANS BACK TO WATCH SOCCEROOS
Lockdown will be lifted for double-vaccinated fans next month when the Socceroos host a crucial World Cup qualifier at Bankwest Stadium.
The Matildas will also play Brazil at the venue in October, as Sydney’s long-suffering sports lovers prepare to return to outside venues for the first time since June.
Only fans and corporate guests with proof they are double-jabbed will be able to purchase tickets.
Up to 100 players, officials, high-performance staff and referees will arrive on commercial flights from various points around Europe, North America and Asia to face the most stringent Covid-19 biosecurity measures and protocols.
The World Cup qualifiers for next year’s finals in Qatar are Australia v Oman on October 7 and Australia v Saudi Arabia on November 11, both at 30,000-seat Bankwest Stadium.
The most rigorous tracing and isolation measures will include players wearing tracking devices to ensure biosecurity protocols are met. The protocols will include:
● PCR Testing / Salivary Screening;
● Every person in the environment wearing a proximity tracking device when not in their hotel room;
● The device software doing daily contact tracing, mapping all contact; and
● Tracing system and compliance overseen by an independent epidemiologist, and live data shared with NSW Health.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson has been in talks with the state government for weeks. “These have been encouraging discussions and, based on current projections, 70 per cent of the eligible NSW population will be fully vaccinated by the time the Socceroos play Oman,” he said.
“Our detailed quarantine management plan is world-class and we want to bring our teams home where they can bring much-needed joy to the community with some world-class football.”
History shows playing on home soil gives the Socceroos a distinct advantage when it comes to qualifying for the World Cup, with only a 30 per cent winning record overseas but 86 per cent in Australia.
Visiting players, coaching staff and officials would be in Sydney in biosecurity bubbles, with five days’ preparation before the game and would then leave the next morning.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro urged football fans to get vaccinated.
“I can’t stress enough that vaccination is our ticket to freedom, and that doesn’t just mean a meal with loved ones, it means people in stadiums and live sport with crowds returning,” he said.
“Last year, when it came to live sport, NSW led the way and safely brought back crowds.
“This year, NSW is leading the way to create a new normal, living with Covid, and our dedication to live sport and its fans remains unchanged.”
TURF CLUB PROPOSAL TO SCALE EVEREST
Spring racing is on track to return next month, too, with new safety measures that aim to get crowds back to Royal Randwick for The Everest.
Racegoers would be masked, mainly outside, and would place their bets from their seats under a “bold plan” put forward by Racing Minister Kevin Anderson and the Australian Turf Club.
Mr Anderson on Saturday wrote to Health Minister Brad Hazzard to recommend NSW adopt the plan’s “sophisticated range of measures designed to keep patrons and workers safe”.
The races would be open to a limited number of vaccinated attendees, in what would be seen as a “test case” similar to how Royal Ascot was run earlier this year.
A crowd of 12,000 attended the benchmark British event in July weeks before the UK reopened fully.
“This plan has the potential to set the benchmark for future events, showing how we can operate with crowds in a Covid-safe way,” Mr Anderson said.
The proposal is now with NSW Health for approval
“I’ve asked them to work through what the ATC needs to do to make it happen, and to identify any issues or any barriers,” Mr Anderson said.
“If NSW can continue on the vaccination path and allow this event to take place in a Covid-safe manner, then I back it 110 per cent.”
The world’s richest turf race, offering $15 million in prizemoney, The Everest is scheduled for October 16 at Royal Randwick.
The Sydney Spring Racing Carnival employs thousands of people, and even operating at 25 per cent capacity it would contribute $14 million to the NSW economy
Australian Turf Club chief executive Jamie Barkley said the event would offer a test case “for Sydney’s reopening”.
“With these strict health protocols in place to protect people it will be a positive step forward in the road map towards reopening Sydney,” he said.
“Racing has a proven track record in delivering a Covid-safe carnival with spectators.”
Attendees would be expected to prove their vaccination status and would be subject to temperature tests.
Hand sanitiser stations, extra cleaning and mandatory QR code check-ins round out the plan. The racing “bubble” would continue for racing industry workers who would also be rapid-tested.
Racing contributes $3.5 billion to the NSW economy and employs 27,500 people.
“The racing industry has stood above the rest when it comes to operating during Covid, acting as a significant driver for the NSW economy and employing tens of thousands of people across the state.
“It proved in 2020 that they were able to welcome the public back on course in a controlled and Covid safe way.
“And now, we are working towards welcoming the community back on track for the Everest 2021.”
IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS
NSW is set to farewell 2021 in style, with fully vaccinated residents able to enjoy a large family Christmas meal, nights out with friends, a New Year’s Eve party and proper summer holidays.
While there will still be some restrictions, a continuance of the state’s vaccination pace will deliver freedoms in line with those currently in place overseas.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the national plan to reopen states with 80 per cent vaccination would bring families back together.
“Friends can make plans for New Year’s Eve where they can hug and kiss at midnight,” he said. “And everyone can make plans for a family Christmas. Nobody wants Covid to be the virus that stole Christmas.”
One of the architects of the state government’s recovery plan said conditions in NSW would be similar to those in Europe and the US.
“There will still be a Covid environment, with masks and the like, but I’m expecting for us at Christmas-time to be where Europe is right now,” Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said.
“Based on the vaccination rates, I am fully optimistic that we will be having a Christmas with our families.
“We’ll be bringing people back into Australia. NSW will welcome Australians back from every state. I’m bullishly optimistic that if we stay the path we will get there.”
As long as NSW continues vaccinating at the current rate, places of worship would reopen, large family gatherings would be permitted, stores would be open for Christmas shopping, Christmas parties would be permitted, and crowds could gather for Sydney traditions including New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Many traditional Christmas events are set to return as vaccination rates climb, Mr Morrison said.
“We’re closing in on freedom. This means that in coming months, lockdown states can look forward to a return to backyard barbecues, kids’ birthday parties with all of their friends, gathering for the important moments like christenings, weddings and funerals.”
While travel within NSW looks set to be opened up, there remain question marks over interstate travel.
Queensland and Western Australia have indicated their borders could remain closed until next year, but open travel may be possible between NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
Sydney couple Selina and George Lygoyris said their greatest Christmas wish was for their three children to see their 99-year-old great grandfather.
“We are hoping to be able to go to Melbourne as all of George’s family live there and the kids are missing their grandparents and cousins,” Mrs Lygoyris said.
If the state borders remain closed the family has the Central Coast as second on their wishlist. While many restrictions will be lifted, retailers warn shoppers should start planning soon and be willing to accept substitutes.
Global supply issues brought on by the pandemic mean there could be delays getting items to Australia, Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra said.
Lengthy delays on overburdened Australia Post saw the service suspend parcel deliveries for three days to clear a backlog, and Christmas shopping would only add to this pressure.
Mr Zahra said retailers were doing it tough, but once lockdowns lifted the industry was looking towards a strong recovery.
Tourism operators acknowledged the impact of continued domestic closures.
The “radical blow to confidence” of four consecutive school holidays with some state lockdowns would be difficult to overcome, Tourism & Transport CEO Margy Osmond said.
Got a news tip? Email weekendtele@news.com.au
Originally published as Vaccination rates mean NSW can start returning to normal in October
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