More restrictions lifted for fully vaccinated
18th October 2021
From today, further restrictions are lifted for people who are fully vaccinated (as well as those who have a medical exemption certificate).
Please note that for those who are not vaccinated, or are still awaiting their second dose, the stay at home rules still apply until Dec 1, but you can still exercise and shop for essentials in your local area, and attend any medical appointments.
Here's a brief rundown on the easing of restrictions for people fully vaccinated:
MASKS
- still required in indoor settings, including public transport and waiting areas
- no longer required in office settings
VISITING FAMILY AND FRIENDS
- up to 20 fully vaccinated visitors allowed at a home, including outdoor areas on your property (children under 12 do not count in the limit)
- outdoor gatherings and recreation for up to 50 people (two person limit for those not vaccinated)
EXERCISE AND RECREATION
- gyms, indoor recreation and sporting facilities open with density limits of 1 person per 4 square metres and up to 20 people in gym and dance classes
- no distance limits for exercise or recreation
- indoor swimming pools open for swimming lessons, squad training, lap swimming and rehab activities
- community sports permitted for fully vaccinated staff, spectators and participants – capacity limits apply
SHOPPING AND PERSONAL SERVICES
- non-critical retail open with density limits (people who are not fully vaccinated can only access non-critical retail via Click & Collect)
- no customer limit for personal services (including hairdressers, spas, beauty and nail salons, tattoo and massage parlours), density limits apply
- sex services premises reopen
RESTAURANTS AND HOSPITALITY
- hospitality open with density limit for up to 20 people per booking (takeaway only for people who are not fully vaccinated)
- from 1 November bookings for hospitality venues will no longer be capped
- no singing indoors (except for performers)
- dancing is permitted indoors and outdoors (except at nightclubs)
- drinking indoors and outdoors may be seated or standing
WORKING FROM HOME
- employers allow staff to continue to work from home, if reasonably practicable
- employers require staff who are not fully vaccinated to work from home, if reasonably practicable
EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
- major recreation facilities (including stadiums, theme parks, and race courses) open with density limits for up to 5000 people, or by exemption
- entertainment facilities (including cinemas and theatres) reopen with density limit or 75% fixed seated capacity
- information and education facilities (including art galleries, museums and libraries) reopen with density limits
- COVID safe outdoor gatherings permitted for up to 200 people
- controlled outdoor public gatherings (for example – fenced, seated ticketed) permitted for up to 3000 people with density limit
- nightclubs and strip clubs reopen with seated drinking and no dancing
WEDDINGS AND RELIGIOUS SERVICES
- wedding ceremonies permitted with no person limit (5-person limit for people who are not fully vaccinated), density limit still applies
- wedding receptions permitted with no person limits (not permitted for people who are not fully vaccinated), eating and drinking while standing, and dancing is permitted, density limits still apply
- funerals permitted with no person limit (10-person limit for people who are not fully vaccinated) and eating and drinking allowed while standing, density limits still apply
- places of worship reopen for people who are not fully vaccinated with density limits
- up to 10 fully vaccinated singers may perform in places of worship and at religious services
TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT
- travel for holidays and recreational visits including day trips between Greater Sydney (including Central Coast, Wollongong, Shellharbour and Blue Mountains) and regional NSW cannot happen yet but will be permitted from November 1 (not permitted for people who are not fully vaccinated).
- carpooling permitted (restrictions remain for people who are not fully vaccinated).
- caravan parks and camping grounds open (including for people who are not fully vaccinated).