Doctors are concerned that NSW's revised 'roadmap' out of COVID-19 restrictions could see the state relaxing too quickly, with a leading Nowra surgeon issuing a grim warning that the move could lead to thousands of deaths.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"Next Monday there will be approx 2 million people in NSW unvaccinated," Professor Martin Jones posted on Twitter.
"The joy of opening this state needs to be tempered by the 1000s of people who will need to attend funerals over the next 6 months for those killed by this virus.
"And it won't just be the unvaccinated!
The tweet comes after newly minted NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced a raft of changes to the state's plan to exit lockdown as of Monday.
The Australian Medical Association of NSW said the changes could overwhelm the hospital system with virus cases and burn out healthcare workers.
"We've got a new premier in the driver's seat, but that's not a good enough reason to deviate from the course previously set," AMA NSW President Danielle McMullen said.
"Keeping people safe must be the premier's top priority.
"Relaxing restrictions too soon will not be a 'popular' decision if it means the number of people contracting the virus and ending up in hospital skyrockets."
After meeting with the crisis cabinet on Wednesday, when the state reached a 70 per cent double-dose vaccination milestone, Mr Perrottet announced the changes, with the state to emerge from months of lockdown on Monday.
As part of the new plans, indoor gatherings will be capped at 10 people, not counting children under 12. Outdoor gatherings will be lifted to 30 people.
For weddings and funerals, 100 people can attend.
NSW indoor swimming pools will also be able to open for lessons, training and rehabilitation activities.
All school students will be back in the classroom by October 25, meaning all teachers will have to be fully vaccinated by then.
The United Workers Union, which represents many essential frontline and public-facing workers, is concerned members checking vaccination status could be put in unsafe situations.
UWU National Secretary Tim Kennedy says hospitality workers fear it will be hard to speak up about safety issues and abuse.
He is concerned it will be left to junior and untrained staff to check customers' vaccination status, and fears many employers will not follow government mandated COVID safety rules.
The union wants the government to issue clear guidelines to protect public facing workers, and penalties for non-compliance, as well as to implement a simple way to verify vaccination status.
The integrated Service NSW vaccine certificate or passport app is still not ready to be rolled out state-wide. It is currently being trialled with 500 people in regional NSW.
"We want the NSW government and employers to ensure that we aren't leaving the casually employed person, potentially in their teens or early twenties, bearing the brunt of any pushback that might arise from vaccination requirements for people wanting to enter venues again," Mr Kennedy said on Friday.
Restrictions will ease further when 80 per cent of the adult population is fully jabbed, expected around October 25.
That is when 3000 people will be allowed at ticketed outdoor events and nightclubs can reopen, but without dancing.
Masks will not be required in office buildings in an attempt to encourage workers back to Sydney's CBD.
These freedoms will apply only for the fully vaccinated until December 1, when freedoms are set to be restored for the unvaccinated.
While AMA NSW urged the premier to "pump the brakes" on the easing of restrictions, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and lobby group Business NSW welcomed the state government's roadmap changes.
"With NSW passing the 70 per cent double vaccination rate threshold ... Australians are beginning to get their lives back," Mr Morrison said.
With Australian Associated Press
