NSW fast-tracks easing of COVID restrictions for vaccinated

Instead of waiting until December 1, the government has eased restrictions from November 8.

From November 8, there will be no limits on visitors to a home for vaccinated residents and guests, and no rules for outdoor gatherings, as long as there is fewer than 1000 people.

Swimming pools will reopen for all purposes.

All business premises, including hairdressers and restaurants, will move to a one person per two square metre density limit.

Nightclubs and pubs can reopen dance floors.

Patrons caps will be removed from all settings other than gym and dance classes - which remain capped at 20 people - and replaced by density limits.

Major outdoor facilities, including stadiums and racecourses, and indoor venues, such as cinemas and theatres, with fixed seating will be allowed 100 per cent capacity.

The current settings for masks will remain in place until December 15 or the state reaches 95 per cent double vaccination.

All the eased restrictions only apply to vaccinated residents.

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Originally from December 1 unvaccinated residents were due to enjoy the same freedoms as vaccinated residents.

However earlier this month NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet decided restrictions won't ease for unvaccinated residents until December 15, or when the state hits 95 per cent vaccination.

Until then, the current pre-roadmap restrictions remain in place for unvaccinated residents, as do the vaccine passport requirements in retail and other settings.

Mr Perrottet said the state's high vaccination rate and the roll out of booster shots gave him confidence to ease restrictions for vaccinated residents.

"Everybody has done an incredible job to ensure NSW can ease restrictions in a safe and considered way earlier than we planned," Mr Perrottet said.

"We are on track to reach 90 per cent double vaccination weeks ahead of schedule and this is a testament to everybody across NSW and especially our health workers.

"There is still a long way to go but the NSW Government is standing with the community and continuing to do everything that we can, including booster shots, to keep people safe as we open up."

Mr Perrottet believes the state can reach 95 per cent vaccination and said he hopes pushing back the reopening for unvaccinated residents incentivises people to get the jab.

"Ultimately we want a united society and we believe moving that date back to December 15 will incentivise [people to get inoculated]," he said.

Vaccinated residents can travel between NSW and Victoria freely beyond the bubble without quarantining.

But those who travel outside the bubble are expected to get a permit.

NSW and Victorian residents must apply for an exemption to enter the Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. Quarantine-free travel is allowed between NSW, Victoria and the ACT for vaccinated residents who fill out an exemption form.

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