Eased Restrictions For 12 Sydney Hotspot LGAs

Sydney's hotspots are waking up to eased restrictions after being under some of the toughest rules in the country.

On Sunday NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian announced the “equalisation” of rules across all of greater Sydney would directly affect the 12 hotspot LGAs of concern. 

“They have led the way in our vaccination rates, they have shown us the way, and what it means to be resilient and strong,” she said.

Limits on outdoor exercise have been eased and 5 person picnics are allowed for the fully vaccinated, but travel permits remain in place for authorised workers who need to leave their local government area.

Mayor of Canterbury-Bankstown Khal Asfour said the new freedoms mean a lot to his community especially to their mental wellbeing.

"We've been locked in our houses for nearly three months now and to be able to be leave the house and not have any worry about restrictions is really good,” Cr Asfour said.

“Again, we are really looking forward to the next few weeks and hopefully when we reach 70 and 80 per cent vaccinations across the state that we will be given extra freedoms like everybody else in NSW"

- Cr Khal Asfour

Epidemiologist Professor Catherine Bennett told channel Seven, the effort put in by everyone in those areas has helped to contain the outbreak.

"It’s still a critical time and you don't want the footprint of the outbreak to start spread to other areas and take off. At the same time those levels of vaccination now across NSW and across Sydney in particular, will help protect against that"

- Prof Catherine Bennett

Meanwhile, Burwood mayor John Faker wants his area to be taken off the hot spot list. 

"We need to convince the premier and her government that Burwood, with low COVID cases and high vaccination rates doesn't need to be on the hotspot list any longer”

Cr Faker want’s relief for his residents who are essential workers, that they won’t always need to obtain a permit. 

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