NEW PUBLIC HEATH ADVICE FOR RE-OPENING NSW

NSW will soon start to reopen with the 70 per cent double vaccination target fast approaching. Restrictions will be further eased at the 80 per cent double-dose milestone.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said while high vaccination rates were the key factor in the roadmap to recovery, COVID-19 would continue to circulate in the community.

“NSW is leading the nation in so many ways with its pandemic response but particularly in its vaccination efforts. I urge those who are yet to get vaccinated to do so quickly to protect yourself, your loved ones and the community,” Mr Hazzard said.

“We are closing in on the 70 per cent double dose mark and when we achieve it there will be significant changes to our public health advice and the key difference will be how that advice is applied to people who are vaccinated and to those who are not.

“Vaccination will provide greater freedoms as our society opens up and it reduces the risk of you spreading the virus to someone vulnerable, which could cost them their life,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Despite the ongoing challenges that will continue to be posed by COVID-19, we have the opportunity to lead the world which is why it is vital everyone is vaccinated and follows the updated public health advice that will be in place from 11 October.”

Key public health advice includes:

• Everyone, vaccinated and not vaccinated, is urged to get tested if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 and immediately self-isolate until a negative result is received.
• Whether vaccinated or not, if they test positive for COVID-19, people must self-isolate for 14 days.
• Close contacts in the community will include household members of positive cases and close social contacts of positive cases, such as partners and friends, even if fully vaccinated.
• If someone is a close contact of a positive case and vaccinated, they must get tested and self-isolate for seven days.
• If someone is a close contact of a positive case and not vaccinated, they must get tested and immediately self-isolate for 14 days.
• The Service NSW QR code check-in system will remain in place in the general community.  
• People aged 16 years and over will only be allowed entry into some venues or settings if fully vaccinated, along with people with exemptions.
• There are several options to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or exemption.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said it was important to note that the new advice may be updated by NSW Health as case numbers and evidence changes.

“We will continue to do what we have done throughout this pandemic, which is to regularly update our advice, informed by experience, feedback, and emerging evidence. It is only in partnership that we can reopen in a safe way.”

The full NSW Public Health Order is available here.

For more information visit nsw.gov.au

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NEXT STEPS TO REOPEN TO THE WORLD 

On 1 October, the Commonwealth Government announced the next steps for Australia to reopen to the world. The government said it would be setting out the framework for how international travel will look in coming months.

In a joint statement with senior Cabinet Ministers, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said with first-dose vaccination rates over 78 per cent and double dose rates nationwide at 54 per cent and on track to reach 70 per cent over the next week, the government had been finalising plans so Australian families can be reunited, workers can travel, and Australia can work towards welcoming  back visitors.

“Within weeks large parts of the country will be moving to Phase B and then to Phase C of the National Plan to safely reopen Australian and to stay safely open,” the statement said.

“Under Phase C, international travel is on track to reopen safely to fully vaccinated Australian travellers. Many countries around the world have safely reopened to international travel and it will shortly be time for Australia to take the step.”

The Government is finalising new arrangements to enable fully vaccinated Australians to travel.

“In line with the National Plan, our government is balancing the need to minimise the risk that the spread of COVID-19 presents, with the need to live with the virus,” the statement said.

The Government’s intention is that, once changes are made in November, the current overseas travel restrictions related to COVID-19 will be removed, and Australians will be able to travel subject to any other travel advice and limits, as long as they are fully vaccinated, and those countries’ border settings allow.

These changes mean there will be no travel restrictions for vaccinated Australians entering or leaving our shores.

The Government is also working towards completely quarantine-free travel for certain countries, such as New Zealand, when it is safe to do so.

Testing is expected to continue to be a requirement of international travel, and subject to further medical advice, Rapid Antigen Tests may be used.

Australians who want to travel overseas once restrictions are removed will be able to access an internationally recognised proof of vaccination document to prove their vaccination status abroad.

The proof of vaccination for international travel will include a QR code that is readable globally and will comply with the standards set out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Engagement with commercial airlines and foreign governments has begun to ensure they are familiar with the system.

In coming weeks, the government will finalise the processes for people to be able to show their vaccination status if they have had a TGA ‘recognised vaccine’. People who have received vaccines not recognised by the TGA, or who are unvaccinated, will be required to undertake 14 days of managed quarantine on arrival.

THREE STAGES FOR NSW TO OPEN UP 

The three stages for NSW to move out of stay-at-home orders have been announced:

1.       70 per cent full vaccination target reopening starts for fully vaccinated people – expected to be Monday 11 October.

2.       80 per cent full vaccination target further easing of restrictions for fully vaccinated people – expected to be Monday 25 October.

3.       Wednesday 1 December opening up NSW for everyone whether vaccinated or not.

Even though NSW is reopening, people still need to follow some safety precautions, including:

• COVID-Safe check-ins and proof of vaccination required for staff and customers. Staff in regional local government areas only need to prove one vaccine dose and a booking for a second dose to return to work.
• Capacity limit of one person per four square metres for all indoor public areas.
• Masks are required for staff and customers who are 12 years and over, in all indoor public venues, as well as for hospitality staff outdoors. Masks are still mandatory on public transport.

Unvaccinated people, or those who have only received one vaccine dose will not be able to do everything a fully vaccinated person can do. They will not be able to:

• visit friends or family in their homes
• access non-critical retail
• attend weddings with more than five guests
• go back to some workplaces
• go out to pubs, or visit other premises which are open only to vaccinated customers.

You can search by location to see the restrictions for where you live.

Protect yourself and your loved ones by booking your vaccination appointment as soon as possible: Vaccines Clinic Finder (healthdirect.gov.au)

How to show you’re vaccinated

You will need to show proof that you’re vaccinated when you check in to businesses.

You can get your proof of vaccination from:

• Express Plus Medicare mobile app
• Medicare online account through myGov
• MyHealth Record
• Australian Immunisation Register (printed copy only)
• The Service NSW app (coming soon)

If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you will need to get a medical exemption form signed by your doctor and carry it with you.

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