NSW Government Weekly Update 15 October

For the latest COVID-19 advice & information please visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

NSW FLYING TOWARDS 80 PER CENT DOUBLE DOSE TARGET

• The State's rapid rate of second dose vaccinations means that next Monday, 18 October is firming as the day that the Reopening NSW Roadmap's 80 per cent settings will come into effect for those who are fully vaccinated.
• Community sport will resume, more friends and family will be reunited, and there will no longer be a cap on guests at weddings and funerals. Masks will also no longer be required in offices, and drinking while standing and dancing will be permitted indoors and outdoors at hospitality venues.
• From 1 November, bookings for hospitality venues will no longer be capped.
• Also from 1 November, the NSW Government will remove quarantine requirements and caps for overseas arrivals who the Commonwealth Government recognises as fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved vaccine, helping Australians stranded abroad get home before the end of the year.
• Travel between Greater Sydney (including the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Central Coast) and Regional NSW will also be permitted from 1 November, to allow people in the regions more time to receive their second vaccine.
• To support regional businesses likely to be impacted by this change the NSW Government will defer the second taper of the JobSaver program until October 31. Eligible regional businesses will receive 30 per cent of weekly payroll, before tapering payments to the scheduled 15 per cent from November 1.
• If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon possible.

REGIONAL RECOVERY PACKAGE TO KICKSTART ECONOMY AND CREATE NEW JOBS

• The NSW Government has unveiled a $200 million recovery package for regional NSW that will create new jobs and support events, shows and festivals to boost tourism and help young people reclaim the best years of their lives.
• The Regional Recovery Package includes a $50 million Regional Events Package, $30 million Regional Job Creation Fund and $40 million for priority infrastructure projects across Regional NSW. Further announcements will be made with respect to the remaining $80 million.
• The $200 million Regional package builds upon the NSW Government's record investment in regional NSW through the $2 billion Regional Growth Fund and the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund and 30 per cent of the Restart NSW Fund.

DOUBLING DOWN ON DINE & DISCOVER

• Customers will have more reasons to celebrate catching up with friends and family this summer with two additional Dine & Discover vouchers up for grabs for NSW residents.
• The expanded program will support residents across the State and encourage economic activity as part of the government's economic recovery strategy.
• To date, almost 4.8 million people have taken advantage of the voucher program since its launch in March, giving businesses a $430 million boost.
• NSW residents aged 18 years and over who are yet to apply will be able to do so until the program ends and will receive all six $25 vouchers.
• Participating businesses do not need to reapply. Those who want to join the program are encouraged to register, download the scanner app and get ready to redeem.