Federation Council has welcomed news in that parts of regional NSW, including the Federation Local Government area, currently deemed low risk and which have seen zero COVID cases for at least 14 days will emerge from lockdown at 12:01am Saturday 11 September.
Local Government areas coming out of lockdown will continue to operate under restrictions to ensure the safety of regional communities.
Federation Council Mayor, Cr Pat Bourke said this news was warmly welcomed by Federation Council and its community.
"Our community, once again has displayed great resilience during challenging times and today's news is warmly welcomed," he said.
"The lifting of Covid free Local Government Areas with no Covid cases is something that Council has advocated for heavily in recent weeks, and it is fantastic to see that we have been listened to and are allowed to open up, even with some restrictions in place still to ensure public health and safety. Our Council area is achieving great milestones in respect to vaccination, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our community for coming out to get vaccinated in the numbers that we are."
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said regional communities are doing an incredible job following health advice and getting vaccinated which has made the easing of lockdown in some areas possible.
"Today, I can announce that while unfortunately many regional LGAs will remain in lockdown due to COVID case numbers, for other parts of the state, stay-at-home orders will be lifted allowing more freedoms for those communities," Mr Barilaro said.
"This decision is based on NSW Health advice, and the LGAs which remain in lockdown will continue to be monitored and we will update those communities on a regular basis. My strong advice to everyone in regional NSW is to get vaccinated as soon as you can. Our communities need to continue to get vaccinated so that when NSW reaches 70 and 80 per cent, restrictions can ease significantly."
The following freedoms will be available to all people in regional LGAs where stay-at-home orders have lifted:
Gatherings in the home and public spaces:
· Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under).
· Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings. Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:
· Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
· Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule.
· Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.
· Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.
· Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.
Schools:
· Schools will re-open with Level 3 COVIDSafe measures in place.
Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:
· Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people.
· Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.
· Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
Weddings, funerals and places of worship:
· Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.
· Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.
· Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.
Travel:
· Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.
· Carpooling will be permitted.
Masks:
· Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.
· Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.
· Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.
