Morning beers and long waits at the hairdresser have characterised NSW’s first day out of COVID-19 lockdown, a situation the government describes as a “contagious spirit of optimism”.
But the state’s premier says patience and goodwill remain important as businesses reopen, gear back up for in-person trade and get used to checking their customers’ vaccination status.
After 106 days, almost 63,000 cases and almost 440 deaths, stay-at-home orders were lifted across NSW on Monday.
In the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday, the state recorded 496 new locally-acquired cases, as well as eight additional deaths.
Gyms, cafes, restaurants, shops and hairdressers are reopening and people can travel more than five kilometres from home after the state surpassed 70 per cent double-dose vaccination coverage.
But as the lockdown ends a “lockout” of the unvaccinated comes into place, with only the double-jabbed able to enjoy restored freedoms.
This will remain the case until December 1.
Unlike his predecessor Gladys Berejiklian, Premier Dominic Perrottet said he had no concerns labelling Monday a “Freedom Day” for the state but reiterated that existing restrictions must still be followed.
Despite those limitations – including mask wearing, social distancing and strict density limits and venue caps – Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope said the mood in NSW was one of elation.
“The spirit of optimism that’s out there is something which is really contagious … people waking up today are waking up in circumstances where they’re feeling happy about their lives,” Mr Tudehope said.
Mr Perrottet also called for patience amid concerns customer-facing staff could be at risk of abuse from rebuffed unvaccinated people.
“We’re the first state in the country that’s put these plans in place,” the newly-minted premier told AAP on Sunday.
“There will be challenges and difficulties … but we certainly don’t want to be having police moving through cafes and restaurants. That’s just not the state that I love and know.”
Mr Perrottet denied business owners were out on a limb when it came to dealing with people angry at being denied entry and in-venue service.
Clear guidelines have been issued in terms of training staff and signage, the premier added, and police were available if situations escalated.
The Service NSW app’s vaccination passport is yet to be rolled out, but residents can use the Medicare app to show proof of vaccination.
Sydney bartender Lucy, who did not want her surname published, is anxious about being on the frontline when people flood the pubs.
The 34-year-old’s workplace won’t be hiring a security guard, she said, so staff will be responsible for checking patrons’ vaccination status.
“A lot of people are angry about having to get vaccinated and I worry they will try to make a point at the door,” Lucy told AAP.
While she’s keen to return to work, Lucy also feels exposed as the Delta variant continues to circulate throughout Greater Sydney.
The United Workers Union, which represents essential frontline and public-facing workers, is concerned staff could face unsafe situations and has called for clearer, binding rules for bosses to protect staff.
From Monday, indoor and outdoor gatherings will also be permitted, with caps increased to 10 and 30 people respectively.
Mr Perrottet also indicated he’s keen for international travel to resume as quickly as possible, with seven days of home quarantine for the fully-jabbed, potentially as soon as November.
This would eventually help plug labour shortages, he said.
New Treasurer Matt Kean will later this week provide an economic update taking into account the damage of the NSW lockdown, and will begin outlining the government’s recovery plans.
AAP
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