The freedoms that will come into play for vaccinated residents once NSW reaches a full vaccination rate of 70 per cent next month will bring down the divide between Wollongong and Shellharbour.
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Deputy Premier John Barilaro confirmed on Monday that Shellharbour - which was moved from Greater Sydney under public health rules to regional NSW almost two months after lockdown began - would again become part of Greater Sydney for the purposes of regional travel.
Regional travel is not allowed at the 70 per cent mark, but travel within Greater Sydney will be permitted at that point for fully vaccinated residents.
This means vaccinated Shellharbour and Wollongong residents will be allowed to travel freely between the two cities, as well as elsewhere in Greater Sydney.
However, it will still prohibit them from visiting Kiama, the Shoalhaven or other parts of the state.
This will only be allowed once 80 per cent of NSW residents aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated.
But fully vaccinated Kiama residents will be free to visit other regional parts of the state when the 70 per cent plan comes into force, as well as Greater Sydney.
The government expects NSW to reach the 70 per cent target about October 6, which will allow for reopening to begin on October 11.
It is anticipated the state will hit 80 per cent about two weeks later.
The new freedoms will apply statewide, and will only become available to fully vaccinated residents.
This means unvaccinated people who are currently living in areas not under lockdown will find themselves hit with restrictions again.
It will not be until December 1 that they too will be able to participate in the activities available to fully vaccinated residents.
A full breakdown of the roadmap to reopening can be found here.
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