I’m sure that most people involved in events in Sydney watched the premier’s presser this morning.

Here is the gist of what the “Roadmap to freedom” looks like – I’ve picked out the information that is relevant to events.

Activation Date

• Restrictions will ease on the Monday after NSW passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target. That milestone is expected to be reached in mid-October.

Restrictions for events

Gatherings in public spaces:

• Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings. 

Venues:

• Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.

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 and funerals: 

• 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.

Travel:

• Domestic travel, including trips to regional NSW, will be permitted.
• NB: At this stage interstate travel will still depend on restrictions placed by other states (WA in particular).

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.

Vaccination

When asked at the press conference Dr Chant made it clear that both staff and guests have to be fully vaccinated.

So if you want to attend or work in events in NSW – get vaccinated.  You need both doses.

The caveat

The whole state or certain areas can still be locked down

NSW treasurer Dominic Perrottet this morning:

What we have said, and as the Premier has pointed out in the national plan, that there may be times, as we move forward, where there are high case numbers that there would be targeted restrictions in place. This is a state wide road map. This is for everyone right across New South Wales, wherever you work or live, that this is the plan to take us forward as we move through the year.

What about the check-in process for NSW?

Earlier this week, NSW Digital Minister Victor Dominello announced the state would begin testing a seamless proof of vaccination and check-in process through the Service NSW app later this month.

What about for other states?

Victoria is also considering a proof of vaccination trial in regional areas, with Victoria’s Industry Support Minister Martin Pakula confirming the government is working to integrate the vaccination certificate with the Services Victoria app.

But not all states and territories are jumping to add vaccine certificates to check-in apps.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the territory’s app – which is also being used in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Tasmania – can’t be as easily updated to include vaccination status.