The National Retail Association welcomes today’s announcement from the NSW Government on what occurs after the 80 per cent double dose target is achieved. We note that other associations have incorrectly advised that retail cannot open until 80 per cent – per the announcement on 9 September, venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms can reopen at 70 per cent under the 1 person per 4sqm rule, and unvaccinated people can only access critical retail.
Under the Reopening NSW roadmap at 80 per cent, the following freedoms will apply only to fully vaccinated adults (16+) and those with medical exemptions (staff and patrons).
Gatherings in the home and outdoor public spaces
- Up to 10 visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under).
- Up to 20 people can continue to gather in unregulated outdoor settings.
- Up to 200 people can attend COVID Safe events.
- Up to 500 people can attend controlled (ticketed and seated) events.
- Community sport permitted.
- Those who are not fully vaccinated may only gather outdoors in groups of 2 people.
Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms
- Retail stores can operate at one person per 4sqm (those who are not fully vaccinated will continue to only have access to non-critical retail via click and collect).
- Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty waxing, tattoo and massage can operate with one person per 4sqm (uncapped).
- Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 4 sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with the requirement to be seated while drinking indoors removed. Group bookings will be limited to 20 people. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only access hospitality settings for takeaway.
- Gyms and indoor recreation facilities (excluding indoor pools) can operate with one person per 4sqm, capped at 20 people per class.
Major outdoor recreation facilities
- Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 4swm, capped at 5,000 people (or by exemption).
Entertainment, information and education facilities
- Entertainment facilities (including cinemas, theatres, music halls) can operate with one person per 4sqm or 75 percent fixed seated capacity (whichever is larger).
- Information and education facilities (including libraries, galleries and museums) can operate with one person per 4sqm.
- Amusement centres and nightclubs remain closed.
Working from home
- Employees must continue to allow employees to work from home, if reasonably practicable.
- Employers must require employees who are not fully vaccinated to work from home, if reasonably practicable.
Education
- Return to school with COVID Safe measures on 25 October.
Weddings, funerals and places of worship
- One person per 4sqm (uncapped) for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing. Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend weddings with a maximum of 5 guests (no receptions).
- One person per 4sqm (uncapped) for funerals, Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend funerals with a maximum of 10 people.
- Churches and places of worship can continue to open with one person per 4sqm, with no singing. Those who are not fully vaccinated will be allowed.
Travel
- Unrestricted trips between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW will be permitted.
- Caravan parks and camping grounds can operate, including for those who are not fully vaccinated.
- Carpooling is permitted. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only carpool with their household.
Masks
- Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor premises and settings, except children under 12.
- Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask while outdoors.
Changes from 1 December 2021
On Wednesday 1 December 2021, the following settings will apply to all NSW citizens, regardless of their vaccination status:
Gatherings in the home and outdoor public spaces
- No limit on the number of visitors to a home.
- Density will shift to one person per 2sqm for indoor and outdoor settings.
- No limit on the number of people who can attend informal outdoor gatherings.
- COVID Safe plan required for outdoor events with more than 1,000 people.
- Community sport permitted for all people.
Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms
- Retail stores can operate at one person per 2sqm.
- Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage can operate with one person per 2sqm.
- Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 2sqm inside and outside, with no seating required for eating and drinking.
- Gyms and indoor recreation facilities, including indoor pools, can operate with one person per 2sqm (uncapped).
- Intimate services can open with one person per 4sqm.
Major outdoor recreation facilities
- Major recreation outdoor facilities (including cinemas, theatres, music halls) can operate with one person per 2sqm.
- Information and education facilities (including libraries, museums and galleries) can operate with one person per 2sqm.
- Amusement centres and nightclubs can open with one person per 4sqm.
Working from home
- Working from home will be at your employer’s discretion.
Education
- All year groups return to face-to-face learning.
Weddings, funerals and places of worship
- One person per 2sqm for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing.
- One person per 2sqm for funerals.
- Churches and places of worship can operate with one person per 2sqm, with singing permitted.
Travel
- Domestic travel, including trips between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW.
- Caravan parks and camping grounds can operate.
- Carpooling is permitted.
- Quarantine settings for vaccinated arrivals will be altered. A cap on unvaccinated travelers may remain.
Masks
- Mask wearing will be mandatory while travelling on public transport on planes and at airports, and for front-of-house hospitality workers.
- Mask wearing is not required outdoors.