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

Both NSW and the ACT have hit the 80 per cent fully vaccinated target, with the hard border to lift after almost four months.

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 week now that the 80 per cent vaccination threshold has been reached in the capital.

From Thursday, non-essential retail will reopen with click-and-collect service and essential retail will be able to commence standard in-store shopping.

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

More to come.