NSW Covid rules that will remain in place for unvaccinated until December 1

NSW’s unvaccinated people will largely remain in lockdown until December – but there are a few notable rules that will ease for the non-jabbed before then.

NSW residents who choose not to be vaccinated will remain in lockdown until December.

With a few exceptions, the current coronavirus restrictions will remain the same over the coming nine weeks for the unvaccinated.

Meanwhile, those who have had their jabs will have new freedoms gradually introduced.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian framed it as a long and “disappointing” wait for those who resist getting jabbed.

“I think today is a very disappointing day for those who aren’t vaccinated – I think they assumed that once we hit 80 per cent double dose, that they would have certain freedoms,” she said on Monday.

“They’ll have to wait at least four to five weeks after we hit 80 per cent to be able to enjoy those things others enjoy.”

Even those who don’t live near a beach will be able to go swimming at 70 per cent – as long as they’re vaccinated. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

CURRENT RULES FOR UNVACCINATED

While the rules vary slightly depending on where a person lives, unvaccinated people are generally limited to hanging out in groups no larger than two.

Like the fully vaccinated, they are largely unable to leave home except for essential reasons.

But while the fully vaccinated can take advantage of the “picnic rule” and gather outdoors in groups of five, the unvaccinated can only see one other person.

RULES EASING AT 70 PER CENT

NSW is currently projected to hit the target of fully vaccinating 70 per cent of adults on October 6.

The Monday after that day, a long list of rules will ease, but only for the fully vaccinated.

That means those who can prove they have had two jabs will be able to go to the pub and get a haircut, among other things, while those who haven’t been jabbed will have to stay at home.

Vaccinated Sydneysiders will also be allowed to leave their local government area (LGA), unlike those who haven’t been jabbed.

Stores will also open for the fully vaccinated, while the non-jabbed will be limited to the essential stores they can visit today: supermarkets, bottle shops, and so on.

There will also be areas of NSW where the rules actually get harsher for the unvaccinated when the state hits the 70 per cent mark.

Regions that currently have limited restrictions will come under the same rules as the rest of the state at that point, meaning only the fully vaccinated will continue to enjoy those freedoms from that point.

“The 70 per cent roadmap does apply the whole state, so there will be individuals in regional NSW who choose not to be vaccinated, who will lose their freedoms on October 11,” Deputy Premier John Barilaro said on Monday.

“So my message to everybody in regional and rural NSW is to continue to get vaccinated.”

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the plan for life after lockdown on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip

RULES EASING AT 80 PER CENT

Another long list of rules will ease for the fully vaccinated once that cohort makes up 80 per cent of the population – those rules are projected to lift on the Monday after October 15.

Again, the unvaccinated will miss out on almost all the new freedoms.

There are two exceptions, however: the unvaccinated will be allowed into campgrounds and caravan parks after the 80 per cent goal is reached, provided it’s in their LGA or within 5km of home.

And the unvaccinated will also be allowed into places of worship.

There were a few other rules for the unvaccinated specified in a fact sheet circulated to reporters on Monday:

• While the vaccinated will be allowed to return to offices, the unvaccinated must keep working from home, if reasonably practicable
• While the vaccinated will be able to attend weddings in unlimited numbers, the unvaccinated will only be allowed to attend weddings with a maximum of five guests
• The rules also say the unvaccinated can’t go to the reception afterwards – just the wedding ceremony
• While the vaccinated can attend funerals with an unlimited amount of people, the unvaccinated will be limited to funerals with a maximum of 10 people

Some restrictions will ease for the unvaccinated on December 1. NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

RULES EASING DECEMBER 1

December 1 will mean another range of restrictions will ease. By then, the Premier said she expects 90 per cent of the state’s residents to be double-jabbed.

But unlike the other milestones, most of the December 1 rule changes will apply even to those who aren’t vaccinated.

The major exception has to do with international travel.

The NSW government flagged that unvaccinated people could still be subject to arrivals caps even after flight rules ease for the rest.

GATHERINGS INDOORS AND OUTDOORS

• There will be no limits on how many people can gather in a home
• There will be no limits on how many can attend an “informal outdoor gathering”
• The 4 sqm rule for indoor and outdoor settings will be changed to 2 sqm
• Outdoor events with more than 1000 people will have to have a Covid-safe plan
• Everyone will be allowed to take part in community sport
• Major outdoor facilities such as stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos will be subject to 2 sqm rule
• Amusement centres and nightclubs will be open subject to 4 sqm rule
• Libraries, galleries and museums will be subject to 2 sqm rule

PUBS, GYMS AND STORES

• The 2 sqm rule will apply – including at pubs, gyms, stores, hairdressers and beauty salons – both indoors and outdoors
• Standing up while eating and drinking will be allowed
• Gyms and indoor pools will have no capacity caps
• “Intimate services” – meaning sex work – will be subject to 4 sqm rule

WORKING FROM HOME

• Employers will no longer be required to allow employees to work from home, rather it will be up to the employer’s discretion

EDUCATION

• Face-to-face learning will return for all year groups

WEDDINGS, FUNERALS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP

• Weddings and funerals will be subject to 2 sqm rule
• Dancing, and eating and drinking while standing, will be allowed
• Singing will be permitted in places of worship
• Places of worship will be subject to 2 sqm rule

TRAVEL

• Travelling between Sydney and the rest of NSW will be permitted
• Caravan parks and campgrounds will be able to operate
• Carpooling will be permitted
• International arrivals can expect different quarantine settings than the current ones
• However caps on unvaccinated arrivals may remain

MASKS

• Masks will still be mandatory on public transport, planes and airports
  
• Front-of-house hospitality workers, such as bartenders and baristas, must still wear masks
• There will be no mask mandate outdoors