Beryl Westcott (left) went to the pop-up clinic in Parkes this week for her second vaccination. Her daughter Elizabeth Westcott, who is fully vaccinated, went with her. They wanted to get vaccinated to look after their health, protect their family and to be able to get the freedoms fully vaccinated people will enjoy from 11th October.
While the Parkes Shire has been fortunate to come out of lockdown after five weeks, the rest of NSW will begin to reopen soon when it reaches the 70% double dose vaccination target.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said while high vaccination rates were the key factor in the roadmap to recovery, COVID-19 would continue to circulate in the community.
Some of the key public health advice for the general community from 11th October will be:
• Everyone, vaccinated and not vaccinated, is urged to get tested if you have any symptoms and immediately self-isolate until a negative result is received.
• Whether you are vaccinated or not vaccinated, if you test positive you must self-isolate for 14 days.
• Close contacts will include household members of positive cases and close social contacts.
• If you are a close contact of a positive case and vaccinated, you must get tested and self-isolate for seven days. On day six, you must get tested again. If it is negative and you are well, you can end isolation after day seven. For the following seven days you must work from home where practicable.
• If you are a close contact and not vaccinated you must get tested and immediately self-isolate for 14 days. On day 12, you should get tested again. If it is negative, you can end isolation after day 14.
• The Service NSW QR code check-in system will remain in place in the general community.
• People aged 16 years and over will only be allowed entry into some venues if fully vaccinated, and people with emptions. Children under 16 will have to be accompanied by a fully vaccinated member of their household to enter hospitality venues, non-critical retail stores, personal services, sporting, recreation and entertainment facilities and events. Critical retail such as supermarkets and pharmacies will still be accessible to those not fully vaccinated.
Visit nsw.gov.au for the latest information.