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Australia Covid news live: Unvaccinated NSW residents will ‘lose freedoms’ on October 11

One number revealed today shows how deadly the current wave of coronavirus could become for Victoria. The Premier is blunt about it.

Ally Foster and Rohan Smith
12 min read
September 27, 2021 - 9:05PM
NSW Premier: Unvaccinated to participate in freedoms by December 1
More from Australian Coronavirus

Welcome to Monday’s coverage of Australia’s Covid-19 situation.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has unveiled her plan for what life looks like when NSW reaches its 80 per cent vaccination goal and beyond.

It comes as NSW recorded 787 Covid cases and 12 deaths on Monday.

Victoria recorded 705 Covid cases and one death on Monday. The state confirmed a record 847 cases on Saturday and 779 infections and two deaths on Sunday.

The ACT has announced its plan for reopening, too, as 145,382 vaccinations were administered around the country on Sunday.

The blog for today has wrapped up. Read on for the biggest stories of the day.

Stay at home orders extended for NSW region

The Cowra region in the NSW central west has had stay-at-home orders extended “due to the risk of ongoing Covid-19 transmission”, the NSW Government says.

“The stay-at-home orders introduced on 20 September will be extended for seven days until 12:01am on 5 October, 2021,” the government said in a statement.

“The stay-at-home orders for Yass Valley LGA will be lifted, as scheduled, at midnight tonight.

“To determine the extent of the risk and detect any other potential COVID-19 cases in the Cowra area, we are calling on the community to come forward for testing in large numbers.”

Worrying trend in Victoria’s Covid-19 numbers

More Victorians are ending up on ventilators and fighting for life in a worrying trend that reveals just how the Delta variant of Covid-19 can be.

The state was notified of 705 new cases and one death — a man in his 70s from Darebin — on Monday after a pandemic high was recorded on Saturday.

A breakdown of the numbers from the daily Chief Health Officer’s report shows there are 363 Covid-19 cases in hospital in Victoria, inlcuding 75 in intensive care. There are also 56 people on ventilators.

There are more worrying numbers for one LGA in particular — Hume.

The region that includes suburbs such as Broadmeadows, Tullamarine and Campbellfield leads the state in terms of infections.

As of Monday, Hume had 3099 active cases, meaning one-in-75 residents is an active case.

It comes amid a rush to get vaccinated. Almost 78 per cent of eligible Victorians over the age of 16 have been vaccinated with one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

“It just shows there is every reason to get vaccinated, every reason to get an appointment and go and play your part for the community,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks at the daily Covid press update at the Treasury Theatre in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks at the daily Covid press update at the Treasury Theatre in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Huge vaccination numbers for Australia

More than 145,000 Australians received a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine on Sunday, taking the total number of vaccines administered to 26.8m.

There have been more than 2 million doses administered in the last seven days and Australia’s collective adult population is 76 per cent single dosed and almost 52 per cent double dosed.

The ACT leads the way with 87 per cent double dosed, followed by NSW at 85 per cent and Victoria at 78 per cent.

Unvaxxed will ‘lose freedoms’ on October 11

Unvaccinated NSW residents have been delivered a major blow, with officials confirming those in regional areas who haven’t received the vaccine will have some of their new-found freedoms reversed within weeks.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the 70 per cent roadmap, which is due to kick in on October 11, will apply to the whole state.

This means unvaccinated people living in areas that aren’t currently in lockdown will no longer be able to enjoy the same freedoms they have in recent weeks.

“So there will be individuals in regional and rural NSW who choose not to be vaccinated who will lose their freedoms on October 11,” Mr Barilaro.

“So my message to everybody in regional and rural NSW is to continue to get vaccinated. We are seeing vaccination rates climb right across the state including in the regions.”

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said unvaccinated people will ‘lose freedoms’ when the 70 per cent vaccination goal is reached. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said unvaccinated people will ‘lose freedoms’ when the 70 per cent vaccination goal is reached. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Unvaccinated people will need to wait until December 1 until they can emerge from lockdown, which will be about four or five weeks after the state reaches the 80 per cent double dose vaccination goal.

“I think today is a very disappointing day for those who aren’t vaccinated. I think they assumed when we hit 80 per cent double dose they would have certain freedoms,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“It is not too late. You have the option, go today, make your booking and get vaccinated not

only to protect yourself and your loved ones but also the community.”

New freedoms announced for NSW

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has revealed the extra freedoms vaccinated NSW residents will experience when the state hits its 80 per cent vaccination goal.

Ms Berejiklian confirmed the state is set to hit its 70 per cent vaccination goal on October 11, with the 80 per cent target due to be reached about two weeks after that.

The following changes will kick in for fully vaccinated residents from the Monday after the 80 per cent milestone is reached:

• Residents will be able to travel anywhere freely in NSW

• People will be able to stand up and drink at the pub

• Up to 10 visitors will be allowed to a home, not including children 12 and under

• Up to 20 people can gather outdoors

• Up to 200 people can attend Covid Safe events and 500 can attended ticketed and seated events

• Community sport will resume

• All venues and businesses will operate at the one person per four square metre rule indoors and two square metre rule indoors

• There will be no limit on guests at weddings and funerals for fully vaccinated people

• Customer caps for personal services such as hairdressers will be removed

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian speaking at the daily press conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Adam Yip
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian speaking at the daily press conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Adam Yip

Ms Berejiklian said a third stage of reopening would occur on December 1, which is when unvaccinated residents will be allowed to join in on the extra freedoms.

The following changes will also kick in on December 1:

• Venues will move to the two square metre rule

• Masks will not be required outdoors or indoors at offices

• Indoor pools and nightclubs can reopen

• There will be no limit on the number of visitors to a home or gather outdoors

• A Covid Safe plan will be required for events with more than 1000 people

“We envisage we will have at least 90 per cent of our adult population vaccinated by then,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Obviously a number of things kick in at 80 per cent, including community sport, regional travel and a whole range of other things, and then on December 1 will be the final stage of reopening where unvaccinated people will be able to participate.

“Now the only exception is for places of worship at 80 per cent double dose unvaccinated people will be able to attend places of worship, but that is it and we ask people to exercise a huge degree of caution.”

ACT warns of ‘hundreds’ of cases coming

The ACT has revealed its pathway towards reopening but it comes with a warning — cases could rise sharply.

Canberra is expected to emerge from lockdown on October 15 when it reaches its 80 per cent double dose vaccination target.

Students could be back in the classroom a few weeks later on November 1.

But speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said cases will rise and that people should be prepared for that.

“The ACT’s pathway forward has been informed by modelling on the impact that Covid-19 will have on cases in the territory and hospitalisations in the territory,” he said.

“And on the impact of exactly the same phenomenon occurring in surrounding NSW.

“We can expect as the nation relaxes public health measures, the ACT could be recording daily case numbers in the hundreds.”

The ACT’s first death linked to the outbreak was reported on Monday. The victim was a man in his 90s.

Huge queue outside Melbourne Food Bank

Footage of dozens of people lining up outside a Melbourne Food Bank has offered insight into just how hard people have been hit by the lockdown.

7News reporter, Paul Dowsley, uploaded a video to Twitter of the huge queue outside the Food Bank on LaTrobe St on Monday morning.

Melbourne University closed to unvaccinated

Still in Victoria, the University of Melbourne is making it compulsory for anyone on campus to be vaccinated.

The Herald Sun today reports one of the city’s biggest universities will employ a vaccine passport scheme for all of its campuses.

Exemptions are expected to apply on medical grounds.

ACT records 19 cases and one death

The ACT has recorded 19 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases and one death in the past 24 hours.

This brings the total number of active cases to 255.

Dan announces vax grants as 80 per cent goal looms

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced a series of grants for GPs and community pharmacies in a bid to boost the state’s vaccination rates.

Victoria has just reached 78.3 per cent of first dose vaccinations, with restrictions in lockdown areas due to ease when at least 80 per cent of people over the age of 16 have had one dose of the vaccine.

Mr Andrews revealed some suburbs were seeing vaccination rates falter, prompting the government to introduce the $4000 and $10,000 grants across 11 LGAs.

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews gives a Covid-19 update. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Paul Jeffers
Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews gives a Covid-19 update. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Paul Jeffers

“There will be 110 grants of $4000 and a further 10 of $10,000 to GPs and community pharmacies across those 11 local government areas,” he said.

“I have had a couple of pharmacists put to me that they don’t have enough room in their shop but if they had a bit of help, they could rent some space next door or just down the road. They would be able to run if you like, their own vaccine hub in that space. This is all about additional staff, additional wages, additional space.”

The LGAs include Moreland, Brimbank, Cardinia, Casey, Darebin, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay, Melton, Whittlesea, Wyndham, and Hume.

787 cases and 12 deaths in NSW

NSW has recorded 787 Covid-19 cases and 12 deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

The deaths include four people in their 60s, two people in their 70s, four people in their 80s and two people in their 90s.

Six people were not vaccinated, five people had received one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, and one person had received two doses.

Indefinite lockdown for unvaxxed looms

Unvaccinated NSW residents could be living with lockdown restrictions for some time, as ministers eye off a 90 per cent vaccination target before they are granted extra freedoms.

When unvaccinated residents can come out of lockdown has been a hot topic, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian repeatedly saying unvaxxed will be locked down even beyond the 80 per cent vaccination goal.

Ministers have indicated to The Sydney Morning Herald that things like sporting events, regional travel and pubs and restaurants may remain off limits to unvaccinated people until 90 per cent of the state’s adult population is double vaxxed.

With NSW’s first dose vaccination rate for people over 16 sitting at 84.5 per cent, it is not yet guaranteed that the state will reach the 90 per cent fully vaccinated mark, meaning unvaccinated residents could be locked down indefinitely.

One minister told The Sydney Morning Herald that even having 80 per cent of the adult population vaccinated meant 1.6 million people would still be unprotected against Covid, posing a great risk to the healthcare system.

“The other states aren’t going to let people in if they’re not vaccinated,” said the minister.

“You might be able to catch a Manly ferry, but that’s about all.”

They also questioned whether unvaccinated people should be allowed to attend weddings.

It comes as Ms Berejiklian is expected to unveil NSW’s 80 per cent freedom plan on Monday, which is set to include details of what life will look like for both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents.

Speaking to 2GB, Deputy Premier John Barilaro said there would be a “stark difference” between what vaccinated and unvaccinated people can do under the plan.

“I think you’ll be surprised at what will be announced. If you want the freedoms we are talking about right across the board you’re going to have to be vaccinated,” he said.

Vic records 705 cases and one death

Victoria has recorded 705 Covid cases and one death in the 24 hours to midnight last night.

This is a drop from the record day the state saw on the weekend, with 847 cases on Saturday and 779 infections and two deaths on Sunday.

Confusing detail in new NSW freedom

Outdoor swimming pools can reopen across NSW from today, but some facilities have indicated a strange rule will be attached to the freedom.

From 12.01am on Monday September 27, Sydney residents can resume swimming in outdoor public pools either within their LGA or within 5km of their home.

This rule also applies to Sydney’s 12 areas of concern.

However, some pools have indicated that, while they will welcome back swimmers, change rooms will remain closed and only outdoor showers will be allowed to be used.

The new freedom will be made available to both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents, despite it originally being touted as a reward for the fully vaccinated, like the “picnic rule”.

Even on Sunday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said over 18s wanting to enter the pool would need to be fully vaccinated.

However, this was later rebuffed by NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnaulty saying unvaccinated people can still exercise outdoors, including at outdoor pools.

Though the current outdoor gathering restrictions still apply, with vaccinated residents allowed to attend a pool in groups of five and unvaccinated allowed to attend in groups of two.

Some pools have said they will be limiting swimming time to two hours and the one person per four square metre rule will be in place.

Indoor and outdoor of Manly Andrew 'Boy' Charlton Swim Centre.
Indoor and outdoor of Manly Andrew 'Boy' Charlton Swim Centre.

Gladys to unveil 80 per cent plan today

Premier Gladys Berejiklian is expected to reveal today what life will look like for NSW when it hits its 80 per cent double vaccination goal.

Ms Berejiklian said NSW’s crisis cabinet was finalising the details of the plan on Sunday, with 7News reporting the details will likely be shared today.

Much like the 70 per cent freedom plan, the 80 per cent roadmap will cover what extra restrictions can be eased across the state.

It is also expected to cover what life will look like for unvaccinated people beyond the 80 per cent mark, after Ms Berejiklian said unvaxxed residents wouldn’t be given the same freedoms as vaccinated residents until some time after that vaccine milestone is reached.

New freedoms triggered by 70 per cent of the NSW population being vaccinated are expected to come into force on October 11.

Some of the freedoms for vaccinated residents will include allowing household visitors, increasing outdoor gathering limits, reopening hospitality and retail venues, increasing capacity limits for weddings and funerals and reopening stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities.

Domestic travel was also set to resume under the plan, but Ms Berejiklian said that freedom may have to be delayed for Sydneysiders until the state reaches 80 per cent vaccination coverage.

“We had foreshadowed it was likely to be at 70 per cent, it may very well be at 80 per cent,” she said on Sunday.

“In NSW, it is definitely safe to book for Christmas and to think ahead for the future.”

How Victoria will look when ‘double vaxxed’

Trials for a “double vax” economy will roll out in parts of Victoria next month.

Hospitality, hairdressing and beauty businesses in regional parts of the state with high vaccination rates will be included in the trials to test how a “vaccinated economy” would work.

“This is a really important step on the paths towards becoming an open vaccinated economy,” Major Events and Jobs Minister Martin Pakula said on Sunday.

“We need these trials to ensure that we understand all the potential issues that might arise,” he said.

There would be up to 20 trial sites and would take place in the council areas of Buloke, Pyrenees, Bass Coast, Greater Bendigo, East Gippsland and Warrnambool from October 11.

The date is about two weeks before Victoria is due to hit the 70 per cent double dose target.

“Potentially country race meetings, concerts, community gatherings — all of those types of events — will be able to be considered for trials of the double vax economy,” Mr Pakula said.

Training for staff and supports for business owners and public communication of vaccine requirements would be part of the trials, he said.

The trials would also help establish the best way to show someone’s proof of vaccination status and how the Commonwealth’s data could be integrated with the existing Victorian app.

– Additional reporting NCA NewsWire

Looming problem if QLD and WA don’t open

Both states are in no hurry to open their borders, but Queensland and Western Australia could find themselves vulnerable to unprecedented legal issues as the rest of Australia embraces ‘Covid normal’ in the coming months.

In an interview on The Sunday Project, constitutional lawyer Professor Kim Rubenstein said that anyone adversely affected by the states’ refusal to open their borders could have grounds for a case.

“Any person who is impacted by these restrictions and who can show that this is a disproportionate burden on trade [could mount legal action],” she said.

“So that if it can show that it is, in fact, protecting one state over the other, without a legitimate or proportional response, then it really is available for challenge. And we may, in fact, see that ahead of us.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at a Covid press conference at Pinkenba Covid Vaccination Hub, Brisbane. Picture: Richard Walker
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at a Covid press conference at Pinkenba Covid Vaccination Hub, Brisbane. Picture: Richard Walker

Prof. Rubenstein explained that the Australian constitution “was motivated by a desire to travel freely across the country. Colonies were finding it difficult to have barriers around trade. Section 92 was placed there to discourage any restriction of travel within Australia.”

Professor Rubenstein said the court would examine “whether these restrictions are needed for the purpose that they‘re seeking to achieve in terms of health protection.”

If they’re found wanting, the state could be much more “vulnerable” to legal action.

Last week, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was met with criticism when she dashed hopes of interstate reunions for Christmas – regardless of whether vaccination targets are met.

– Nick Bond

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/australia-covid-news-live-confusing-detail-in-new-nsw-outdoor-pool-freedom/news-story/cf9025e2ccfb935e10c7f54ded7d0a44