Coronavirus NSW: Plan to exclude unvaccinated people from bars, restaurants

NSW authorities are considering excluding unvaccinated people from bars and eateries once businesses begin to reopen.

A plan reportedly being considered by the NSW government would see unvaccinated people barred from entering hospitality venues, such as bars and restaurants, once businesses begin to reopen at 70 per cent vaccination rate.

The Sydney Morning Herald revealed early discussions were underway between industry groups and the government over whether hospitality staff and customers should have to prove they have received two Covid-19 shots when the state begins to reopen later this year.

NSW currently has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world with 34 per cent of the state fully vaccinated and more than 62 per cent of residents having received their first dose.

The reopening plan, leaked to the publication, would include combining vaccine proof and QR code check-ins either using the Service NSW app or a new government app.

There are hopes the government will reopen venues in October. Picture: iStock

There is speculation the government is aiming to start reopening venues from October 18.

The state government’s school plan was unveiled earlier this week with Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed some students would be back in the classroom from October 25.

Vaccination will be mandatory for all teachers and staff with students in kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 returning to class on October 25.

The other grades would return gradually in the days after.

It follows reports on Friday that the government would soon begin trialling reopening one-on-one industries for fully vaccinated people, such as hairdressers and nail salons, as a way to prepare for the easing of more restrictions when vaccination rates reach 70 per cent in October.

Trackers have estimated consistent vaccination rates will have NSW reach its goal to have 70 per cent of its population, aged over 16, fully vaccinated by October 28.

Based on data collected from a seven-day rolling average, the 80 per cent goal would then be reached by November 14.

Yesterday, Ms Berejiklian confirmed her government was working on a plan to allow businesses to reopen when the state reaches 70 per cent vaccination rate.

“I will confirm that the government has already started working on industry plans to make sure we start reopening at 70 per cent double dose," she said.

“We've made those plans very clear, it will be a very staged and safe way to go back but we are asking industry to work with us and it is no secret.

“We have been on that journey and when we are on a position to provide a bit more detail around what life will look like at 70 per cent double dose then we will obviously do that.”

NSW again broke its daily record of coronavirus cases today, reporting another 1035 cases in the past 24 hours.

However, the state is also smashing through its vaccinations, administering more than 156,000 jabs through NSW Health, the GP network and pharmacies.