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Gladys Berejiklian will go see her parents when NSW hits 80 per cent vaccination target

Evin PriestNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: NCA NewsWire

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she will make a beeline for her parents’ house when the state reopens in mid October, after months without seeing them in person.

On the Monday after 80 per cent of NSW residents have had two shots, more restrictions will ease for that group of people.

That goal could be reached as soon as October 15, meaning October 18 could be the day stage two restrictions are implemented.

One of the restrictions being relaxed on that Monday will be the ability for up to 10 people to gather in a home.

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Ms Berejiklian plans to take full advantage.

“Oh, visiting my parents,” she said when asked on the Today show about the first thing she would do.

“Facetime only works for a certain amount of months. I'm really looking forward to seeing my parents and hanging out with them. They’re both in their 80s.

“It's been really hard. Everybody is in a similar situation. Every time we’ve taken a decision we think imagine how the community feels, imagine how the community feels, imagine how grandparents feel who haven’t seen their kids in other states.

“I don’t know a single citizen who hasn’t been adversely impacted. This is something that touches all of us and 11 October can’t come soon enough.”

PREMIER PRESSER
Camera IconNSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the first thing she will do will be to see her parents. NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip Credit: News Corp Australia

It comes after Ms Berejiklian announced the government’s three-step plan to reopen NSW.

In the first step, a raft of restrictions will ease on the Monday after 70 per cent of NSW residents are vaccinated.

According to the website covidlive, that milestone could be reached as soon as October 6, meaning October 11 is likely when those freedoms will kick in.

Pubs, retail stores and gyms are meant to open again, but only for the fully vaccinated.

Step two will be triggered on the Monday after 80 per cent of NSW residents have had two shots.

That goal could be reached as soon as October 15, meaning October 18 would be when fully vaccinated people will have access to more freedoms.

COVID SYDNEY
Camera IconA view of George Street Sydney looking empty during Covid-19 Lockdown. NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia

Here are the new rules expected to be implemented at 80 per cent – only for those who are fully vaccinated:

GATHERINGS INDOORS AND OUTDOORS

  • Up to 10 visitors will be allowed in a home (plus 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 ticketed and seated events
  • Community sport activities permitted
  • Major outdoor facilities such as stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can have a maximum of 5000 visitors, subject to the 4 sqm rule – and exemptions will be available
  • Entertainment venues such as cinemas and theatres can operate under the 4 sqm rule, or at 75 seated capacity, whichever is larger
  • Libraries, galleries and museums will be able to operate subject to the 4 sqm rule
  • Nightclubs and amusement centres will remain closed
  • International travel caps will also be reconsidered, meaning it’s likely more people will be able to leave and re-enter Australia.

Originally published as Gladys Berejiklian will go see her parents when NSW hits 80 per cent vaccination target

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