COVID-19: NSW motorists’ roadmap to freedom

As motorists in New South Wales and Victoria continue to live under strict conditions of movement and recreation as part of COVID-19-related lockdowns, rising vaccination rates have resulted in both states detailing plans to ease restrictions.

While Victorians are subject to a more cautious easing of restrictions (see our separate report) the NSW state government this week confirmed preliminary plans to increase the current limited driving distance of 5km from residents’ homes or within their local government area (LGA) for Greater Sydney residents over the coming months as vaccination targets are met.

The Berejiklian government has set December 1, 2021, as its so-called ‘Freedom Day’, when all residents – vaccinated or not – will have certain restrictions eased, such as unlimited metropolitan and regional travel throughout the state.

However, NSW motorists will be subject to a three-stage roadmap out of lockdowns.

The first stage is expected to kick in on October 11, when just over 70 per cent of the state’s adult population (over 16 years old) is expected to be double-dose vaccinated against COVID-19.

This will trigger greater driving distances beyond 5km or their LGA for Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains residents who are fully vaccinated.

However, travel to regional NSW will still be barred, despite initially being set to be lifted at the 70 per cent mark.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said “about a fortnight” later, around October 25, stage two will be achieved when 80 per cent of the adult population is vaccinated, resulting in unrestricted driving across the state including to regional areas – except for those who are not fully vaccinated.

The official rules once the 80 per cent vaccination target is reached are as follows:

The third stage is set to commence on December 1, 2021, when unvaccinated residents will get the same freedoms as those who have been vaccinated.

“I know people are counting down the minutes until we reach 70 per cent double dose and the freedoms that will provide, and today we are providing further certainty by announcing the 80 per cent roadmap and future settings,” Berejiklian said on Monday.

However, interstate travel via any means – road, sea or air – is likely to be restricted in some form as other states monitor COVID-19 cases and make their own determinations.

It’s expected border closures between various states will continue for some time, with quarantining periods still in place and Western Australia unlikely to open its borders until 2022.

For more details in the specific easing of restrictions, check out the official New South Wales 80 per cent Roadmap document.