Yesterday, the NSW population finally reached the 70% double dose Covid vaccination target.

With October 25 set as the date Sydneysiders will be able to travel to regional areas like the Northern Rivers, Healthy North Coast has been encouraging residents in Lismore and Byron Bay to get vaccinated.

At the moment, the Lismore LGA is lagging behind at 47% and Byron LGA at 42% double dose.

All North Coast Local Government Areas are tracking above 70% for first COVID jabs, compared to the NSW State average of 89.4%.

Read more Covid news: Local district has new Covid cases and venues of concern include Fundies

Healthy North Coast chief executive Julie Sturgess said vaccine supply is the main cause behind the lagging vax rates.

"But overall, vaccination rates in the region are increasing at about 5% a week - which is slightly faster than the national vaccination trend," she said.

“With the recent significant increase in supply, it is becoming easier and easier for the community to access vaccines through their GP, neighbourhood pharmacy, a pop-up clinic or local Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS).

“We’re expecting to have about 30,000 Pfizer doses available per week in October, as well as increased supplies of Moderna and AstraZeneca. 

“As providers receive their vaccine doses and have appointments available, these will become visible on the Vaccine Clinic Finder. North Coast residents who haven’t yet had a chance to get vaccinated are encouraged to jump online and book their appointment today. 

“Vaccination rates continue to rise with 84% of those aged 16 and over now having had their first dose and 54% fully vaccinated.  

Healthy North Coast’s COVID-19 vaccination rate by LGA graph, shown below, shows vaccination data from across the wider North Coast region as of October 3, 2021.  

Restrictions to change on Monday October 11

As NSW passes the 70% double vaccination target, the Government is also easing a number of restrictions as part of the Reopening NSW roadmap, which will allow fully vaccinated adults to enjoy more freedoms from next Monday, October 11.

Lismore joins other areas which will see stay-at-home orders lifted next Monday (October 11). Lismore, along with all of the other areas will then be under the rules of the NSW Government roadmap settings – and the list of Local Government Areas of concern in NSW will cease to exist.

The new rules

The changes to the 70 per cent roadmap will allow up to 10 visitors (not counting children 12 and under) to a home (previously five), lift the cap on outdoor gatherings to 30 people (previously 20), and increase the cap for weddings and funerals to 100 people (previously 50). 

Indoor pools will also be re-opened for swimming lessons, squad training, lap swimming, and rehab activities.

On the Monday after the State clears the 80 per cent double vaccination hurdle further restrictions will be relaxed, with people able to have up to 20 visitors (excluding children 12 and under) to a home (previously 10), and up to 50 people will be allowed to gather outdoors (previously 20).

Up to 3,000 people will be allowed to attend controlled and ticketed outdoor events (previously 500), nightclubs will be permitted to reopen for seated drinking only (no dancing), and masks will no longer be required in office buildings. All roadmap freedoms at 70 and 80 per cent will continue to be for fully vaccinated people only.

All school students will also now return to on site learning with a range of COVID-safe measures in place by October 25, with the second and third stages of the return to school plan now combined. Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 students will still return to face-to-face learning on October 18, with all other years now returning one week later on October 25.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the common-sense changes would help life return to normal as soon as possible.

“Vaccinations are the key to life returning to normal and the changes today will help family and friends reconnect, get kids back to school and get businesses back up and running sooner,” Mr Perrottet said.

Workers and one vaccination dose

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said workers in regional areas who have received one vaccination dose will be permitted to return to their workplace from October 11 and will be given a grace period until November 1 to receive their second dose.

Regional areas are those outside Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Central Coast.

“This move ensures we get businesses in the regions re-open and local economies buzzing again. It's about ensuring we make this a roadmap that works for everyone,” Mr Toole said.

If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon possible.