New South Wales can expect further easing of restrictions to come into place much sooner than expected, thanks to the State’s rapid rate of second dose vaccinations.

With the State set to reach its 80 percent double vaccination target this Saturday, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced this morning that the next stage of easing lockdown restrictions will come into effect on Monday, 18 October.

The easing of restrictions will be for fully vaccinated people or those with a medical exemption only.

From Monday, people can have up to 20 visitors at their home, outdoor gatherings can have up to 50 people, community sports will be back on, and funerals and weddings will no longer have a limit.

Up to 3,000 people will be permitted at ticketed outdoor events and drinking, while standing and dancing will be allowed indoors and outdoors at hospitality venues.

Masks will no longer be mandated in office buildings but will still be required for staff and patrons in all indoor settings.

From 1 November, bookings for hospitality venues will no longer be capped and neither will overseas arrivals, with the NSW Government removing all quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers that provide a negative COVID-19 test.

Regional travel will also be back on the cards, with travel between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW also permitted from 1 November.