NSW eyes relaxing more Covid rules early as vaccine target nears
Premier Dominic Perrottet is reportedly considering moving up NSW's date to get rid of most restrictions as the state nears its 90 per cent double-dose vaccinations target.
NSW was set to reopen for people who are not fully vaccinated on December 1, but The Australian reports this date will happen earlier on November 24 after Mr Perrottet's Victorian counterpart revised his roadmap.
The news comes as NSW reported on Monday 294 new Covid cases and four deaths in the past 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday.
On Sunday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews revealed all venue caps would be scrapped on November 24 when the state is forecast to hit 90 per cent of people being double-vaccinated.
"There will be no density quotients anywhere," he told reporters.
"Masks will only be required in high-risk indoor settings, such as public transport, prisons, hospitals, aged care, to give you some examples."
As it currently stands, Victoria will allow greater freedoms for the vaccinated before NSW.
NSW COVID-19 update – Monday 25 October 2021
In the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm last night:
- 93% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 84.8% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 59,612 tests pic.twitter.com/QyhwwjOrAi— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) October 24, 2021
A spokesperson for the NSW premier said the state was set to hit 90 per cent "very soon".
"We have already updated the road map with eased restrictions for fully vaccinated people where we were confident we could do so safely," the spokesperson told The Australian.
"Our aim remains returning the freedoms and the life we all love as safely and quickly as possible."
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NSW reports 294 local Covid cases, four deaths
Out of 59,612 tests in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday, NSW recorded 294 local cases and four deaths.
NSW Health also confirmed on Monday there had been no new overseas infections.
Almost 500 people are in hospital with 116 in intensive care.
The first dose vaccination percentage sits at 93 per cent in people over 16 years of age.
Meanwhile the second-dose rate is at 84.8 per cent.
NSW students return to face-to-face learning
All student year groups are returning to NSW classrooms for face-to-face learning despite some schools being closed for deep cleaning after Covid-19 cases.
Kindergarten, year one and year 12 students went back to school in NSW last week and the remaining students are returning to classrooms on Monday.
Non-urgent elective surgery will also resume at public and private hospitals within Greater Sydney on Monday after being cancelled in August to stop hospitals from being overwhelmed as Covid cases soared.
Overnight elective surgery will be capped at 75 per cent in both public and private facilities but private facilities can exceed the cap if they are providing surgery for public patients.
There are no restrictions in regional hospitals providing overnight non-urgent elective surgery.
Jury trials will also resume in the District Court with Covid-19 safety precautions including a requirement for jurors to be fully vaccinated and practice social distancing.
On Sunday night, NSW Education announced 16 schools were closed for cleaning and contact tracing after positive Covid-19 tests in their communities.
with AAP
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