What you can do in the Hawkesbury and where you can go from Monday as more restrictions lift

We’ve hit 80% double vaccination doses, which is quite an achievement and it means the Hawkesbury – along with the rest of Greater Sydney will be opening up some more.

Here are the changes from tomorrow – Monday…

The number of people allowed into a household, at outdoor gatherings, and at outdoor ticketed events have all increased.

Masks no longer have to be worn in offices and community sports can start again, while nightclubs can also reopen.

If you’re fully vaccinated, here’s a rundown of how the rules are being relaxed.

If you’re not fully vaccinated, you are still limited in what you’re allowed to do. For unvaccinated people, restrictions will not lift until December 1.

If you’re not fully vaccinated, you’re only allowed to gather outdoors in a group of two, and weddings are limited to five people.

Guests in your home and other gatherings

For those fully vaccinated, the number of visitors allowed in your home increases from 10 to 20, not including children under the age of 12.

Outdoors, the gathering limit increases from 30 to 50.

The caps on the number of guests at weddings, wedding receptions and funerals have been completely lifted.

“Controlled” outdoor public gatherings, including those that are fenced, seated, or ticketed, have had their density limit vastly increased from 500 to 3000.

 

Wearing masks

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says masks will no longer be mandatory for workers in office buildings once the state hit its 80 per cent target, so no requirement from Monday to wear a mask at work.

But, if you haven’t had both jabs, you will still need to wear a mask at work.

If you’re a schoolteacher you will have to wear a mask at work.

Masks are still mandatory on public transport and at airports, and in shops.

Indoor front-of-house hospitality staff will have to continue to wear a mask, and under the current rules that will continue even after December 1.

Community sport opens up

Fully vaccinated over-16s in NSW, and all children 15-and-under, have been able to train for community sports competitions since October 11.

From Monday, they can also officially compete.

Vertical consumption

In pubs, you can stand up with a drink if you’re inside.

The 4-square-metre rule still applies indoors, but the NSW government has confirmed that restrictions will be lifted on November 1, when there will be no caps on patron numbers.

Last week, the Premier and ministers dodged a fine after they was filmed standing with drinks in a bar at a media press conference.

Dancing – yes and no…

Dancing is permitted from Monday both indoors and outdoors at hospitality venues.

But while nightclubs can reopen, it’s on the condition that patrons sit to drink, and refrain from dancing.

So, if you’re desperate to dance, you will need to find any other kind of hospitality venue, where you can now dance both indoors and outdoors.

Premises providing sex services are also allowed to reopen from Monday.

Can I go out of the Hawkesbury?

You cannot travel to regional NSW until November 1. But, you can travel within Greater Sydney for a holiday or recreation, so the Central Coast, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Blue Mountains could all be on your itinerary.

Carpooling will be permitted. Current restrictions will remain for people who are not fully vaccinated.

Caravan parks and camping grounds are fully open, including for people who are not fully vaccinated.

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