Live Breaking News: NSW crisis meeting to decide easing of restrictions

NSW residents have been told to expect an announcement “shortly” on which restrictions will change, with the crisis cabinet to meet today.

For today’s latest Covid-19 updates, head to our NSW live blog.

The NSW government is set to hold a crisis cabinet meeting today to decide which restrictions will ease now that the state has reached six million vaccinations.

The plan is expected to include the reopening of some businesses across low-risk areas of Greater Sydney in September, with the crisis cabinet to finalise details during Wednesday’s meeting.

Nail salons and hairdressers are likely to be among the retailers that will be able to reopen.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said yesterday that she would have more to say later in the week about what extra freedoms may be granted to fully vaccinated residents next month.

“I’m so pleased and grateful NSW has had six million jabs. Dr Chant and our team had conversations because we have hit the milestone and I look forward to making the announcement on Thursday or Friday this week as to what fully vaccinated people will be able to do from the month of September because of the target we have set,” she said.

“Thank you to everybody who has stepped up and got the jab. That equates to 60 per cent of our population across the state with at least one dose. And around 30 per cent of the population double dosed.”

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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian speaks to the media during a press conference. Picture: Joel Carrett/Getty Images

It comes as NSW recorded 753 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro told Sunrise on Wednesday morning that an announcement on the easing of restrictions was imminent and any rules that change would be “practical”.

“As the minister responsible for the roadmap [out of lockdown], it may be more. It may be only the one [restriction that eases],” he told the program.

“There are actually a number of options in front of the crisis committee that we will consider. We’ve had some advice from the chief psychiatrist about what makes people feel better, what are those freedoms that you can give someone that allows them to feel confident … and maybe give them a bit of hope that we’re getting to the end of it.

“There’s a few options. We’ll make a decision about which ones are practical and ones that don’t risk a further spread. We’re almost there. We’ll announce something shortly.”

NSW told not to ease restrictions ‘at any level’

The NSW branch of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has urged the state government not to consider easing any lockdown restrictions, despite reaching six million Covid-19 vaccinations.

“We know people are tired, want to see their families, and are increasingly vaccinated, but this is not the time to ease restrictions at any level,” AMA NSW President, Dr Danielle McMullen, said.

“We understand the desire for certainty, and we think discussion about modelling and vaccination rates is important. However, NSW has not achieved the vaccination rates or lowered the case numbers significantly enough to make any changes to current restrictions.”

Dr McMullen said easing restrictions wasn’t possible while NSW’s health system was being overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients.

“All of NSW needs to remain committed to supporting each other by maintaining restrictions across LGAs and regions, even where case numbers are different,” she said.

“Again, to the people of NSW, we all understand the frustration and the need for hope. We recognise the impact of lockdowns on our mental health and financial security. But now is the time to stay home, to mask up, and most importantly, to get vaccinated.

“Now is the time to support our communities and our healthcare workers. Now is not the time for tinkering with restrictions.”

Plan for students to go back to school

Students returning to school is also expected to be discussed in today’s meeting, with The Guardian reporting students from kindergarten to Year 2 and well as those in year 11 could be prioritised under the plan.

The NSW education department and health officials are in negotiations about how children should return to school, with sources telling the publication that officials want to balance the positive side of having students return with the risk that young children could catch the virus and spread it to their households.

NSW’s vaccination rate will likely heavily influence when students can return to face-to-face learning, with officials yet to decide whether students should begin to return at a 60 per cent or 70 per cent jab rate.

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Yesterday, NSW’s chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant urged all eligible senior students to go and get vaccinated.

“This is your opportunity and it will pick up year 11s as well as year 12s, because some of them are 16,” she said.

“Anyone 16 to 39 who live in any of those 12 local government areas, which are densely populated local government areas, are entitled to vaccines. There are bookings available … there are 200,000 bookings available.”

Ms Berejiklian avoided questions on Tuesday about whether it would be compulsory for teachers to get vaccinated before returning to the classroom.

“I’ll make the general statement that it is better say that in all categories of workers, we have encouraged much of the workers to get the vaccine,” she said.

“That is for the broader safety of their interactions and the community but I won’t pre-empt what we will say about schools until later this week. There are conversations with stakeholders and sectors including the independent and Catholic sectors.

“We are working on our plan as to what school looks like returning.”

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People are seen queued to receive their vaccination at the NSW Vaccine Centre at Homebush Olympic Park in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Christian Gilles

Possible lockdown extension for regional NSW

Residents in regional NSW could have their lockdown extended for a third time, with crisis talks held on Wednesday to decide whether to extend the statewide stay-at-home orders.

The regional NSW lockdown was set to expire on August 28 but given infections continue to plague the regions, particularly in the state’s far west, the government may have no option but to extend.

“In terms of regions, many areas are settling and stabilising but western NSW remains a concern,” Ms Berejiklian said on Tuesday.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro issued an urgent plea to those in western NSW after revealing there were 36 cases in the area, which included 14 in the far west.

“Today I want to call out in relation to vaccine in the regions, we want to keep vaccine rates high. Want to keep up with what is occurring in Sydney and ensure we have access points in areas in regional and rural NSW that are falling behind,” he said.

Fragments of Covid-19 had also been detected at a sewage treatment plant in Cobar, with residents urged to monitor for symptoms.