NSW-ACT border to reopen on November 1 as both jurisdictions reach 80 per cent vaccinated

A major border change will come into effect next month after an important jab milestone was reached.

The NSW-ACT border will officially reopen on November 1 after almost four months of hard shutdown between the two jurisdictions.

Both NSW and the ACT hit the 80 per cent fully vaccinated target on Monday, making them the first places in the country to reach the important jab milestone.

“Subject to the public health risk at the time, the ACT will remove the Covid-affected area declaration across NSW from 1 November,” ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.

“This means that ACT residents will not have quarantine when they return to the territory from any part of NSW — including Greater Sydney.

“This aligns with the decision from the NSW Government to allow travel from Greater Sydney into their regional areas from 1 November.”

Police have been patrolling the NSW-ACT border performing random Covid-19 checks since Canberra entered lockdown on August 12. Picture: Newswire/Gary Ramage

Canberrans will also enjoy a number of new freedoms in the coming weeks with the 80 per cent vaccination achievement prompting the ACT government to bring forward the easing of restrictions.

From Friday, both essential and non-essential retail will be able to open their doors to customers with density limits of one person for every 4 square metres.

From October 29, Canberra’s outdoor mask requirement will be scrapped and capacity limits will increase to 300 people for hospitality and entertainment venues.

Canberrans will be able travel to Sydney without going into quarantine from November 1. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

Despite citing November 1 as the ACT’s reopening date to NSW, Mr Barr warned that individual local government areas (LGAs) within the state may be blocked off by ACT authorities if they experience an expected spike in cases.

“Similar to the arrangements the ACT had in place throughout most of this year, the ACT will move to an individual LGA assessment of public health risk from 1 November,” Mr Barr said.

“This will allow the ACT chief health officer to declare high-risk LGAs as Covid-affected areas with relevant stay-at-home or quarantine requirements.”