Gladys Berejiklian announces huge drop in coronavirus cases to 1262 and seven deaths

NSW recorded 1,262 new cases of Covid-19 and seven deaths overnight on Sunday, just hours after it was announced that outdoor gatherings could be on the cards for locked-down Sydneysiders sooner than the 70 per cent fully vaccinated milestone.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian made the announcement at her final 11am press conference on Sunday morning, after the state government said on Friday it would ditch televised case number reports in an effort to normalise living with Covid. 

The state-wide lockdown is set to end completely when NSW hits 70 per cent double-dosed vaccinations, with a target set of October 18.

When that target is achieved, double-jabbed Sydneysiders will be allowed to visit pubs, clubs, gigs, restaurants and non-essential retail, go back to the gym and get a haircut.

Ms Berejiklian said 78 per cent of people over 16 have had at least one dose of the vaccine.  

‘If you know anybody in your circle of family and friends who have not been vaccinated, please encourage them to do so, as soon as we have that coverage, the more confidence we can have moving forward into the future,’ she said. 

The state-wide lockdown is set to end completely when NSW hits 70 per cent double-dosed vaccinations, with a target set of October 18. Pictured: Coogee Beach on Sunday morning

At an 80 per cent vaccination rate, domestic travel will be allowed for the fully-vaccinated. Pictured: People at Bronte Beach on Sunday

Despite the high vaccination rates, Ms Berejiklian said there are still areas of concern in Sydney and regional NSW with increasing case numbers.

‘The virus is picking up pace at the moment are a couple of suburbs in south-western Sydney … as well as some suburbs in the inner Sydney and in a western areas,’ she said.

Chief health officer Kerry Chant said areas like Glebe, Camperdown, Waterloo and Redfern â€" all in Sydney’s inner-west â€" are areas of concern.

‘Across the state, you need to be vigilant,’ she warned.

‘We can’t be complacent anywhere. We are seeing case numbers increasing in Central Coast and Illawarra.’

Among the fatalities was a man in his 20s from western Sydney who had severe underlying health conditions.  

Three women in their 40s, 50s and 80s from south-west Sydney also died, along with three men in their 50, 70s and 80s. 

Ms Berejiklian and Dr Chant have continually warned residents that case numbers will likely peak in October, when projections suggest the state will reach the 70 per cent milestone.

When asked whether areas with low vaccination rates would remain under restrictions, Dr Chant said she is focussed on seeing a ‘sustained decline’. 

‘At the moment, we have too many bushfires going,’ she said.

‘I’ve indicated a number of areas where I’ve got concerns about the fact that we’ve got cases increasing in the Central Coast, Wollongong.

‘I’m very confident that those local health districts will work in partnership with a variety of people to do all they can to suppress those case numbers.’  

In response to a question about the disturbing scenes on Sydney beaches on Saturday when people flocked to the sand amid high temperatures, Ms Berejiklian acknowledged the situation was ‘challenging’.

‘We know that people are tired after the enormous things we’ve been asking of them that we must stay the course … don’t start getting complacent now,’ she said.

‘We know the weather adds to our positivity and what we can look forward to in October.’ 

Grade cricket traditionally begins in Sydney in mid-September, while tennis, soccer and touch football are among other codes played in the springtime. Pictured: Bronte Beach on Sunday

Social distancing rules will however apply at indoor locations, with one person allowed per four square metres.

At an 80 per cent vaccination rate, domestic travel will be allowed for the fully-vaccinated.

The timeline relies on the jab rate maintaining its impressively high levels, something that hasn’t occurred in many other parts of the world, with rates consistently stalling overseas around the 60 per cent mark.

On Saturday, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said ‘it’s possible’ people may be allowed to play group sports like cricket, touch football and tennis, and more than five people could dine together outside if vaccination rates remain steady. 

‘I think give us another few weeks and see how we go with the vaccinations, and I’m fairly confident that we’ll be able to move in that area,’ he told reporters.

Grade cricket traditionally begins in Sydney in mid-September, while tennis, soccer and touch football are among other codes played in the springtime.

Surfing, fishing, cycling, bushwalking and camping are also among the popular outdoor activities Sydneysiders could be allowed to do in groups outside of their local government areas or 5km radius.

Mr Hazzard was unfazed on Saturday as images of worn-down Sydneysiders flocking to the city’s beaches on a 29 degree day in their thousands appeared on social media, stating that ‘fresh air, we know, is the safest place to be at the present time’.

Noticeably NSW Police did not throw the book of extensive lockdown rules at beachgoers who were lax in social distancing, wearing masks or gathering only in pairs, although the force did try to enforce the 5km travel rule.

The scenes however did anger those living in the 12 Sydney LGAs who are currently not permitted any ‘recreational’ sunbathing time outdoors, who claimed the ‘selfish’ behaviour was a slap in the face for those told to stay inside their homes for 22 hours a day.

From Monday September 13 up to five fully-vaccinated adults will be allowed to gather outdoors for recreation and leisure activities, such as picnics, in areas across greater Sydney.

Those in the LGAs of concern can enjoy two hours of outdoor recreation with fully-vaccinated members of their household or with one other fully-vaccinated person who is not a member of their home.

At the weekend press conference Mr Hazzard was quizzed if he’d support picnics being expanded to allow 10 people to gather together instead of five.

He replied that the government needs to look at ‘what other normality we can bring back into our lives’.

‘I’m totally supportive of that, if I could just get some time to work with the team I would be doing it.’

The extra incentives will only become a reality if vaccination rates remain strong.

What are the four phases of opening up? 

1. Vaccinate, prepare and pilot (from July 14)

Arrival caps cut in half to 3,035 a week until August 31; lockdowns and state border closures as a last resort; trials of seven-day home quarantine for vaccinated arrivals; medicare vaccination certificates available on apps like apple wallet   

2. Post vaccination phase (when an as-yet unannounced percentage of Aussies are jabbed, expected early next year)

No lockdowns or state borders except for ‘extreme circumstances’; caps for unvaccinated arrivals doubled to 6,070; home quarantine for vaccinated arrivals; capped entry for students and economic visa holders  

3. Consolidation phase (date not announced)

Lifting all restrictions for outbound travel for vaccinated travellers; no caps for vaccinated arrivals; vaccinated people exempted from domestic restrictions; increased caps for students and visa holders; more travel bubbles being set up with countries such as Singapore; booster shots rolled out 

4. Final phase (date not announced)

Uncapped arrivals for vaccinated people without any quarantine and uncapped arrivals for unvaccinated people with testing before departure and on arrival 

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Source: Daily Mail

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