What the new COVID regulations mean for office workers.

 

New freedoms to be introduced on Monday (11 October)  include the re-opening of most retail and service businesses.

 

Newly-installed NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured) has announced significant changes to the original roadmap out of lockdown that was announced by his predecessor Gladys Berejiklian at the beginning of September, giving fully-vaccinated residents greater freedoms than first planned.

 

Later this month, face masks will be optional in offices for fully vaccinated people, while schools will open for many year groups earlier than expected.

 

More restrictions for fully vaccinated people will ease the Monday after NSW fully vaccinates 80 per cent of people aged 16 and above.

 

At this stage, the state is expected to reach that 80 per cent target by 20 October  and the new freedoms will come into effect on 25 October.

 

In stage 2, masks will no longer be required in office buildings (but people who aren't vaccinated will still need to wear them).

 

Changes for the regions:

 

People in regional NSW can return to work on Monday, 11 October even if they have had only had one dose of the vaccine.

 

They have until 1 November to get fully vaccinated.

 

This rule applies to anyone who lives outside Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Central Coast.

 

NSW deputy premier and National Party leader Paul Toole said this change had been made to reflect the fact it had been difficult to access the vaccine in some remote areas of the state.

 

Outside of the regions, employers must require staff who are not fully vaccinated to work from home if reasonably practicable.