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READY, SET, GO - NSW REOPENS
After more than 100 days of restrictions NSW today takes its first steps back to normal life.
Families and friends will be planning catchups while cafes, restaurants, pubs, clubs, and other businesses are busy re-stocking their fridges, dusting off their tables and chairs as we prepare to safely re-open the economy and get businesses back on their feet and people back into jobs.
Businesses will open to customers from today, with patrons required to demonstrate they have been double-vaccinated and are willing to comply with physical-distance requirements.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said this was the first step in seeing some restrictions lift for those who are double-vaccinated, and for businesses around the state to re-open and get the NSW economy back to business.
“There is a sense of optimism out there with thousands of businesses across the State busy preparing to open their doors. NSW you’ve earned this.” Mr Perrottet said.
“As we re-open after more than 100 days we ask everyone to treat staff with kindness and respect when they ask you to check-in or see your vaccination certificate.
“Following these simple measures will help keep us all safe and keep us moving forward out of the pandemic.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres welcomed the reopening and reminded people to act responsibly when going out.
“NSW has pulled together to get our vaccination rate to more than 70 per cent, which means we can begin the reopening process. We need the same spirit of cooperation to keep people safe and ensure that venues remain open.
“Like many people, I can’t wait to have a beer and a schnitty at my local, but we all have a responsibility to stick by the rules. Book ahead, check-in with your QR code, show proof of vaccination, be respectful to staff and look after each other.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said it was vital that NSW residents continued to roll up their sleeves to push the State’s rates of double vaccination even higher.
“The community has done a fantastic job to reach the 70 per cent double dose target, but we must keep going. We want to get to as close to 100 per cent double vaccination as possible to keep everyone safe,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Vaccination is our greatest weapon against the virus, together with social distancing, hand sanitising, mask wearing and getting tested when we have symptoms – which all remain important as we navigate our way out of this pandemic.”
Digital and Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello encouraged people to have their vaccination status ready to go.
“There are already three ways to get a copy of your vaccine certificate, through the Express Plus Medicare app, the digital wallet on their phone or a paper certificate from Services Australia," Mr Dominello said
"We have successfully started testing the integration of the vaccine certificate into the Service NSW app and are expanding the pilot into the regions this week which is exciting. Until then, please ensure you have your proof of vaccination ready.
“The nsw.gov.au website has all the materials needed to help businesses re-open safely and we have proactively sent out information packs to help make the transition as easy as possible.”
Businesses can find all the resources that they need to ensure they are complying with the 70 per cent roadmap here.
To find out how to download a copy of your vaccination certificate visit Services Australia website.
If you are 16 years or older, you’ll need to show proof of your vaccination or medical exemption when you check in to most businesses. Proof of vaccination or medical exemption examples can be found here.
If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon as possible.
For the latest information visit nsw.gov.au.
To view the 70 per cent Roadmap and lifting of restrictions, visit nsw.gov.au.
FREEDOM NEVER TASTED SO SWEET
Hairdresser scissors are snipping, beers are chilling and cash registers ringing across NSW after the first stage of COVID-19 restrictions were eased across the State for the fully vaccinated.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said Monday’s milestone was only possible thanks to the efforts of so many people embracing the public health messages.
“The people of NSW have earned this moment setting a cracking pace in getting the jab to protect our communities and businesses who have had such a tough time these past few months,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Today is just a taste of the freedoms to come with the State on track to pass the 80 per cent double vaccination mark within weeks, and if we keep on going, we’ll ensure lockdowns become a thing of the past.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the changes would be welcomed from Bondi to Broken Hill.
“So many people like me are keen to get back to the pub, enjoy a meal at their local cafe and inject some money back into regional economies,” Mr Toole said.
“It won’t be long before we see the bush buzzing again and the main streets of regional towns packed with activity as businesses re-open and restrictions start to ease.”
Treasurer Matt Kean said the Roadmap would kick-start the State’s economic recovery.
“Every citizen in the State has made huge sacrifices in the past couple of months to keep ourselves, our loved ones and our communities safe,” Mr Kean said.
“As restrictions start to ease and we reach key milestones in our Roadmap, we have to get business back to business and get the economy going while staying safe.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said there was no doubt businesses across the State have done it tough during the lockdown.
“While the NSW Government was able to provide financial assistance to businesses, the best support we can provide is to lift restrictions in a COVID-safe way," he said.
“This is an exciting day for businesses across NSW and I want to thank them for their sacrifices, their patience and their resilience as we navigated our way through this global health pandemic.”
Business NSW Chief Executive Daniel Hunter said this was an opportunity to show our support and celebrate our local businesses getting back to business.
“When we talk about businesses reopening, it’s important that we remember that this is about people, their livelihoods and their mental wellbeing,” Mr Hunter said.
“The best way to get people employed again and for existing staff to increase their shifts is to ensure local businesses have a great supply of customers – so the challenge is absolutely out there for people to visit their favourite café or restaurant, go back to the hairdresser, enjoy a meal at the local pub and support business owners and their employees.”
Business Sydney said today marked a new beginning for building the city’s CBD back better as we come out of lockdown and bring workers and visitors back to the empty city streets in a significant reactivation of the economy.
“Sydney’s CBD was the beating heart of the State’s economy and we need to restart it with a strong return to offices, hospitality, arts and cultural venues to bring the city back to its vibrant best and show the world that Sydney is the pre-eminent city in our region to work, visit and play,” said Paul Nicolaou, Executive Director of Business Sydney.
“State and local government need to support and work with business to generate economic growth and employment in Sydney’s CBD in order to capitalise on the opportunity we now have through our hard work in leading the nation in vaccination and reopening.”
For the latest information visit: nsw.gov.au.
REGIONAL PILOT VACCINATION CERTIFICATES ANNOUNCED
Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga and Lismore customers will be the first to display their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate on the Service NSW app, with the NSW Government pilot of the technology underway.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the regional pilot starting Monday 11 October would focus on staff and visitors at a number of clubs and aged-care facilities, as well as selected taxi companies.
“Up to 500 customers, to be selected by the businesses involved, will participate in the pilot across Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga and Lismore,” Mr Toole said.
“Customers will have the convenience of checking in to a venue and showing proof of vaccination status on the one app. This is NSW leading the way with a pilot in the regions and helping to make life easier for our communities in the roadmap out of COVID.”
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said while it was currently possible to display your vaccination certificate, given there were over six million people using the Service NSW app, this was a smart extra service for the citizens of NSW.
“There are already three ways to download your vaccination passport, so this is about making life easier for the people and business of NSW as we safely open back up,” Mr Dominello said.
“In a week of being granted access to the Australian Immunisation Register information we have already begun successfully testing internally ahead of this regional pilot, but we also need to ensure we have the right checks and balances in place.”
The Service NSW app will include a number of security measures to help compliance officers and businesses with checking and validating a customer’s vaccination status, including a NSW Waratah logo hologram and rotating QR codes, similar to the Digital Driver Licence.
“Integrating the vaccine certificate onto the Service NSW app will be optional,” Mr Dominello said.
To integrate a COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate with the Service NSW app, customers will need to have a Federal MyGov account with Medicare linked and the Express Plus Medicare app. Customers without a smartphone should contact Services Australia for a non-digital option.
For more information visit nsw.gov.au.
VACCINATION THE TICKET TO REOPENING VENUES AND EVENTS
The Australia Council for the Arts has launched a campaign encouraging Australians to #TakeYourSeats to get vaccinated to support the reopening of our cultural and creative venues and events.
Australia Council CEO Adrian Collette said vaccination was our ticket to reopening and staying open.
“We want to welcome audiences back safely, and to help our artists and creative workers to get back to work and return the vibrancy of live performances, exhibitions, festivals and cultural events to our communities, cities and regions,” Mr Collette said.
“The vaccination targets set out in the national plan are vital to reopening – and staying open with minimal interruptions and disruption in the future.
“Our role is to advocate for the cultural and creative industries, and this campaign calls on all Australians to take their vaccination seat, so that we reopen, recover and rebuild from the disruption of the pandemic.
“We are on the right track, but after a year and a half of restrictions on venue capacity, interruptions and lockdowns as well as domestic and international border closures, high rates of vaccination are essential to providing greater confidence and certainty for the future,” Mr Collette said.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher said the Morrison Government’s objective through the National Plan is that as states and territories open up, arts companies, promoters and festivals are ready to go.
“We want to see venue doors thrown open to audiences, we want to see the curtains going up, and we want to see performers coming on stage to a welcoming roar of applause.”
The campaign features seats at a range of cultural venues – from open mic nights, to galleries, live music and theatre.
The Australia Council is working to reach as many Australians as possible with translations of the video in Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, Punjabi available from early next week. The video is also Auslan interpreted.
More information is available on the Australia Council website.
REGIONAL RACING BACK ON TRACK
The NSW Government has welcomed the return of crowds of up to 5,000 people to regional racecourses and tracks as the State strengthens its commitment to economic recovery.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation and Minister responsible for Racing Kevin Anderson said racing in NSW has led the way when it comes to operating through COVID-19 and now fans of all three codes can once again make their way trackside for live entertainment.
“As NSW races towards our vaccination targets and restrictions ease, the NSW Government is focused on supporting industries which provide valuable jobs and economic stimulus.
“Racing is the backbone of many regional communities and supported crucial jobs right throughout the pandemic. For many towns, the annual race day is so much more than just a punt with mates, it’s a day out for the family and a chance to see old friends.
“Race meets also bring very welcome economic stimulus to town and I know many communities are looking forward to welcoming tourist dollars in their tills as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Mr Anderson said the NSW Government had provided record funding to the thoroughbred, greyhound and harness racing industries to make them even stronger as they recover from COVID-19.
“The NSW Government invested record amounts of funding to support the racing industry over the past 12 months, including $67 million to upgrade regional racetracks,” Mr Anderson said.
“The racing industry provides significant stimulus to regional communities, creating tens of thousands of jobs and injecting billions of dollars into to the State’s economy. This support from the NSW Government will only mean those numbers increase.”
RETURN OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
The ACCC has announced a decision to allow NSW and ACT universities to collaborate on travel arrangements for the return of international students for 15 months.
A recently announced NSW Government pilot plan enables the staggered return of fully vaccinated international students to resume their studies. The first phase is to bring back 500 students by the end of the year.
“The authorisation provides the universities with an exemption from competition law so they can collaborate and follow through with the NSW Government’s policy to allow for the return of international students to local universities,” ACCC Commissioner Stephen Ridgeway said.
The participating universities will be able to jointly allocate spots under the NSW Government cap, based on their 2019 international student enrolments. Each university will then decide which students are offered an opportunity to return.
Students will be responsible for booking and paying for their own flights.
“By being able to use the same travel provider, for example, the process is simpler and easier for the universities, students and government agencies to handle international arrivals and quarantine arrangements,” Mr Ridgeway said.
“A travel provider is also more likely to be able to source more economic flights than if students purchased their airfares independently.”
More information, including the ACCC’s Interim Authorisation Decision, draft determination and final determination, is available here.
