NSW Premier Expects More COVID-19 Cases as Freedoms Restored to Vaccinated

Premier of NSW Dominic Perrottet speaks during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 18, 2021. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

New South Wales (NSW) Premier Dominic Perrottet has warned that COVID-19 cases may rise, ahead of new freedoms for fully vaccinated residents starting next week.

This comes as Perrottet announced that NSW was bringing forward its reopening roadmap for the double-vaccinated due to a faster-than-expected rate of vaccination.

“From next Monday, it means more friends and family at home, more capacity for hospitality venues, more people at events— more enjoying what makes NSW great,” he wrote on Twitter.

He warned that the reopening would come with increased COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalisations, saying, “we need to learn to live alongside this pandemic.”

The relaxing of restrictions was moved up from Dec. 1 to Nov. 8 and will allow fully vaccinated residents’ lives to return almost to normal.

Among the changes, all settings—except for gyms and dance classes—may once again operate at full capacity. The number of visitors to homes will be uncapped, and indoor pools are to reopen for all purposes. Dancing will be also allowed again at entertainment venues like nightclubs. 

The new freedoms will only apply for people who are fully vaccinated, or those who are exempted, an NSW government release emphasised.

The current mask mandate will remain in place until 95 percent of people are vaccinated, or on Dec. 15, whichever comes first.

These changes come now that around 88 percent of residents over 16 are fully vaccinated and close to 94 percent have had at least one jab.

Meanwhile, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said booster shots are just around the corner.

“Boosters are a key priority moving forward and we continue to work closely with the Commonwealth on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. I want to encourage anyone who is yet to be vaccinated to make a booking as soon as possible,” he said.

According to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, aged care workers and residents are first in line to receive a third booster shot, followed by the rest of the general population.