Local government areas (LGA) of concern in Sydney’s west and southwest will see restrictions ease to align with other lockdown restrictions across Sydney.
The change follows calls that the current restrictions create a double standard, with unfair rules for some areas compared to others.
From 12.01am Monday, 20 September, the following restrictions will ease for those who live in LGAs of concern:
- No limit on the duration of outdoor exercise and recreation (previously a two-hour limit)
- Outdoor gatherings of up to five fully vaccinated people (not including children aged 12 and under) will be allowed in a person’s LGA or within 5km of home (previously only fully vaccinated household members could gather outdoors, or up to two fully vaccinated people from different households)
- Shopping, exercise and outdoor recreation can be done 5km from home or within your LGA (previously only 5km from home)
- Attend a small wedding (maximum 11 people) in Greater Sydney as a guest (previously only allowed in their LGA)
- A person’s single’s bubble buddy can live in Greater Sydney (previously must have resided within 5km of a person’s home). A person from a LGA of concern can also now be a buddy for someone in Greater Sydney
Nearly all restrictions in the LGAs of concern are now aligned with other lockdown areas, with the main differences being authorised worker conditions and travel permit requirements which remain in place in the LGAs of concern.
From 12.01am Monday, 27 September, outdoor pools across New South Wales will be able to open, provided councils have a stringent COVID-19 safety plan approved by New South Wales Health. Natural pools are already permitted to be open.
New South Wales Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, thanked those in Sydney’s west and southwest who have come forward and received their COVID-19 vaccine.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has come forward to get a jab, helping bring first dose vaccination rates in some LGAs up to 90 per cent,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“There’s still more work to do to push those vaccination rates higher and everyone must continue to follow the lockdown rules until we reach that 70 per cent double dose target when further restrictions can be eased for those who are fully vaccinated.”
New South Wales Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, said that after all the hard work getting vaccinated and complying with lockdown requirements, it’s fantastic that some restrictions can now be relaxed.
“The New South Wales Government is determined to ensure everyone can benefit from increasing vaccination rates.
“Outdoor pools are part of Australian life, and enjoying a summer splash no matter where you live is a big plus for families.”
