Kerry Chant ‘did not endorse’ new NSW road map

After accusations that she’d been benched by the Premier, it’s been revealed the NSW CHO “did not endorse” her state’s new road map.

Kerry Chant’s absence at Thursday morning’s new road map announcement raised eyebrows – leading many to believe she’d been benched by Dominic Perrottet.

And now it’s been reported the NSW chief health officer “did not endorse” the new Premier’s plan.

“I have confirmed Dr Chant did not endorse this new road map,” 9 News political reporter Chris O’Keefe wrote on Twitter on Thursday evening.

“The Chief Health Officer warned the new Premier these changes come with risk, but the decision was ultimately a matter for the government. A shift from Perrottet away from ‘the health advice’.”

BREAKING: I have confirmed Dr Chant did not endorse this new roadmap. The Chief Health Officer warned the new Premier these changes come with risk, but the decision was ultimately a matter for the government. A shift from Perrottet away from “the health advice.” @9NewsAUS

— Chris O'Keefe (@cokeefe9) October 7, 2021

After Mr Perrottet’s announcement of the changes to the plan at a media conference, he was grilled by O’Keefe over Dr Chant’s absence – considering the CHO has been a steady fixture of the Covid-19 updates and rule changes for most daily press conferences since the pandemic began in March last year.

“What does it say to your respect of Dr Kerry Chant that you wouldn’t invite her here today as one of your first major (press conferences). It is a bit disrespectful isn’t it?” O’Keefe asked.

“Dr Chant is one of my favourite constituents in Epping,” Mr Perrottet fired back.

“We’ve always had a great relationship. But … we are moving away from 11am press conferences, the health numbers will now be provided (at 9am).”

But O’Keefe kept pressing and said “if it’s a health crisis the chief health officer should be here.”

“Well, it’s also an economic crisis as well,” Mr Perrottet snapped.

“I sat down with the Health Minister and Dr Chant yesterday. We went through some of these potential changes.

“We went through the opportunities to make some sensible amendments, some stable and steady amendments to the road map and I think the changes today are sensible.”

Lockdown still looms for unvaxxed despite changes

Unvaccinated NSW residents will still need to wait until December 1 until they can enjoy eased Covid restrictions, despite a raft of new freedoms being announced today.

The extra freedoms, many of which will kick in on Monday, will only be enjoyed by vaccinated residents, the government has confirmed.

For unvaccinated people living in lockdown areas, this means they will continue to live under those tough restrictions.

For those living in not locked down regional areas of NSW, it means they will revert back to those stay-at-home orders until they are fully vaccinated or December 1.

Police officers patrolling at Bronte Beach, Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/James Gourley

NSW Deputy Liberal leader Stuart Ayres said there was “no change” to what unvaccinated people can do.

“One thing we know about where we sit right now in this pandemic is that it will be a pandemic of the unvaccinated. The unvaccinated people are more likely to get sick. The unvaccinated are more likely to be in our hospitals,” he said.

“The message about getting vaccinated has not changed. People get access to these new opportunities because they’re vaccinated. That message is unchanged.”

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns has called on Premier Dominic Perrottet to offer businesses clear guidelines about what to do if unvaccinated people try to enter their business.

“What they will say to unvaccinated people who come into their place of business; what the procedure will be for their staff, for their customers; what procedures will be in place to make sure that procedures are effective on Monday?” he said.

“This is a very serious concern for the tens of thousands of businesses that want to open.”

Glaring issue with road map overhaul

A leading infectious disease expert has pointed out a major oversight in the changes to NSW’s road map, warning it could put the state at risk.

University of NSW epidemiologist, Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, said the fact people under the age of 40 represent the majority of Covid cases needs to be considered before the rules change.

She told the ABC that the changes should be postponed until that age group gets to at least 80 per cent double dose vaccinations, which could be two to three weeks away.

Premier Dominic Perrottet speaking at a press conference at NSW Vaccination hub at Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Adam Yip

“So, somebody may be double vaccinated and can go to a nightclub or an enormously large venue outdoors of, I think it was 3000, come home and have a very asymptomatic, mild case and be able to transmit it to somebody in their household that hasn’t yet been fully vaccinated,” Professor McLaws said.

“So, we still have households that have mixed levels of vaccination. So, it’s all very well and good to give all of these restriction lifts to those who are fully vaccinated. I understand, particularly the young, need to get out, earn money and have some fun. But we still have mixed households.

“The danger is that the young will acquire it and spread it to the elderly.”

Professor McLaws also pointed out that people don’t reach their full Covid protection level until 14 days after their final vaccine dose.

“Don’t forget, although we’ve reached 70 per cent – and congratulations to everyone in NSW for that – you are not at your full protection until 14 days after that second dose,” she said.

“So, while there’s only four or five days until the opening, most people haven’t reached that maximum protective level.

“70 per cent of 80 per cent of the population 16 years and over really only represents one in two people in the general community are completely covered.

“So, we really do need more of that equity of the 70 per cent across the young, the vulnerable, and regional areas.”

NSW records 587 cases and eight deaths

NSW’s Covid-19 cases have continued to fall, with 587 infections and eight deaths recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Despite the promising numbers, Health Minister Brad Hazzard warned residents not to become complacent.

“The numbers are continuing to go down. We cannot, though – we mustn’t take this for granted,” he said.

“We really need everybody to keep going out – if you haven’t been vaccinated yet, you’re now in the minority but you need to go and get vaccinated because that is what you will do to keep our state safe.”

Do the road map changes put NSW at risk?

Premier Dominic Perrottet has backed his “sensible” changes to the NSW reopening plan, after being asked whether the changes deviated too much from the original plan and could put the state at risk.

Mr Perrottet said the changes had been made in line with health advice.

“These are sensible changes worked through with Dr Chant and the health team, approval of the health team, approval of the cabinet ministers yesterday and I believe the changes we’re making today are sensible, measured and ensure we continue to open up in a safe way,” he said.

Changes to NSW road map confirmed

Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced a raft of changes to NSW’s road map, with many to kick in from Monday.

The extra restrictions that will ease from October 11 include:

• Reopening indoor swimming pools for rehabilitation, children’s swimming lessons and organised lap swimming

• Household visitors will increase 10 (after being originally set at five) and outdoor gatherings will increase to 30 people (after being set to change to 20)

• Weddings and funerals will increase 100 attendees, after being set to increase to 50 in the original plan

Mr Perrottet said all NSW schools will be able to return by October 25, with stage one beginning on the 18th of October.

A number of changes have also been made to the 80 per cent reopening plan, including:

• Allowing 20 household visitors, excluding children (previously set to be 10)

• Allowing 50 people to gather outdoors (previously set to be 20)

• Up to 3000 people will be allowed to attend controlled ticketed outdoor events (previously 500)

• Nightclubs will reopen for seated drinking only, with no dancing allowed

• Masks will no longer be required in office buildings

All these new freedoms will still only be granted to fully vaccinated residents.

Premier confirms hated mask rule to be scrapped

Premier Dominic Perrottet has confirmed that the rule requiring Sydney workers to wear masks in the office will soon be abandoned.

Speaking to ABC’s News Breakfast, the Premier said there was a “positive announcement” to come regarding masks for office workers.

“Face masks, obviously, are important. But ultimately, as you say, they’re an impediment for people going back into the office, so we made some changes last night which we’re going to announce later today,” he said.

Host Lisa Millar then pointed out that Mr Perrottet had just all but confirmed that the mask rule would be disappearing.

Mr Perrottet said the restriction would be eased “earlier than we had previously set out”.

“We had originally set that down for 1 December. So, they’ll be going a bit earlier,” he said.

NSW Premier makes major Covid changes

Dominic Perrottet has already made some changes after his first full day as NSW Premier as residents brace for an update after a late-night meeting with key officials.

As Mr Perrottet stepped into a crisis cabinet meeting late on Wednesday, the premier had already flagged potential tweaks to the state’s road map out of lockdown.

Despite the news, Mr Perrottet confirmed “Freedom Day” in NSW won’t come early and committed to next Monday, but there have already been some changes made to the plan.

But there could be changes to the road map, such as indoor swimming pools opening from Monday after previously not being set to reopen until the state reached 80 per cent vaccinated.

Nightclubs would also reopen once the state reaches 80 per cent, after it was previously set for December 1.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet speaks during a press conference at Government House. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

The Premier is expected to announce what changes will come early today.

As part of his “first act”, the premier is ditching the 11am Covid-19 presser, which experts say means Mr Perrottet does not want to be the “Covid numbers premier”.

“Gladys Berejiklian, part of the aura she created around herself was those 11am pressers,” Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell said.

“That’s the end of that.”

As of next week, new case numbers will be released at 9am instead of 11am.

It has also been revealed the NSW crisis cabinet — which has been responsible for the state’s handling of the pandemic — will be renamed the Covid and Economic Recovery Committee in a bid to reflect the change of times.

– Matt Young

New freedoms coming for NSW after vax milestone hit

Sydneysiders will be rewarded with “greater freedoms” from Monday after NSW eclipsed double vaccination coverage for 70 per cent of its eligible population.

Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello outlined the new restrictions in a Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon, which includes how numbers will be capped at pubs and restaurants, guests in homes will be increased and gyms can reopen.

“From Monday, 11 October, significant changes to the public health orders mean residents can leave their LGA and experience greater freedoms,” Mr Dominello posted.

This what Sydneysiders can expect:

• Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.

• Hospitality and restaurant venues can reopen subject to one person per 4 sqm inside and one person per 2 sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.

• Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not including children 12 and under).

• Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4 sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.

• Businesses will be responsible for taking reasonable measures to stop unvaccinated people entering premises. This includes having prominent signs stating requirements, Service NSW QR codes, staff checking vaccination status upon entry and only accepting valid forms of evidence of vaccination.

– James Hall