NSW reopening date revealed as crisis cabinet signs off on lockdown exit plan

NSW’s crisis cabinet has signed off on a plan to end lockdown, with a tentative reopening date set despite the advice from health experts.

The NSW government has agreed on its road map out of lockdown as it works towards an October reopening date for retail and hospitality.

The freedoms will be restored for Sydney residents when the state hits its target of fully vaccinating 70 per cent of people over the age of 16, which is anticipated in mid-October.

On Thursday, the NSW Premier revealed the details of the plan, and said it would kick in on the Monday after the state hits 70 per cent, currently on track for October 18.

People will have to prove they are fully vaccinated at the door of hospitality venues if they want to enter, with a “vaccine passport” that will be linked to the Service NSW app.

Regional travel is also expected to resume once the 70 per cent target is reached, with a travel permit system in place for Sydneysiders.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will announce details of the state’s road map out of lockdown on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The state’s crisis cabinet signed off on the plans on Wednesday night, and the details were announced at 11am on Thursday.

The Australian reports Premier Gladys Berejiklian and her senior ministers overruled health officials, including chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant, who advised them to take a more cautious approach.

Dr Chant reportedly advised the government to aim for 80-85 per cent of full vaccination coverage before reopening to mitigate the risk of re-entering lockdown later.

She “eventually agreed” to the 70 per cent target, predicated on the transmission rate falling below one.

Some regional areas without active coronavirus cases are expected to have their lockdowns lifted as scheduled at midnight on Friday.

NSW’s Mid and North Coasts and the Murrumbidgee region are all expected to be released.

Residents living in regional NSW are being urged to get vaccinated or risk losing some of their freedoms, even if they have no Covid-19 cases.

“The vaccination rates in regional and rural NSW have to continue to rise on par with metro Sydney and the state average and therefore the pressure point must apply that for some people in the regions,” Deputy Premier John Barilaro said on Wednesday.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro says regional residents must get vaccinated or risk losing their freedoms. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Nikki Short

“If we get to that point, if they come out of lockdowns now, could go backwards and could lose freedoms if they‘re unvaccinated and I make no apology for that.

NSW on Wednesday reported nine deaths and 1480 new local coronavirus cases, taking the total number of infections to 31,914 since the outbreak began on June 16.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state had reached 75 per cent first dose of vaccinations, with 42 per cent of the eligible population now fully vaccinated.

More freedoms are anticipated when the 80 per cent double dose target is reached, which is expected in late October or early November.

People living in Greater Sydney are in their 11th week of lockdown.