This morning at 12:01am, New South Wales waved goodbye to some of the toughest stay-at-home orders, some seeing their freedoms returned for the first time in four months. With statewide double-vaccination rates at 73.5 per cent, daily numbers reaching only a third of cases at the outbreak’s peak and months of sacrifice, the freedoms are well-earned.

Sydney-siders who haven’t seen a social scene larger than a five-person picnic flocked to pubs and clubs that opened at midnight, others to an even larger line awaiting them at their local shopping centres. 

Across the Western Plains, where many LGAs have had their freedoms for almost a month now, it’s a slightly different experience. 

While those who are fully vaccinated can thrive under the new allowances, people without that status are forced to endure to tighter restrictions from what they knew just 12 hours ago. 

Residents with only one dose of a Covid-19 vaccination, or without any at all, are confined to Stay-at-home orders until the state reaches 90 per cent vaccination status, which is projected for early December. 

Meanwhile, LGAs that were under stay-at-home orders, including Bourke and Narromine, can welcome their first guests into their home, and swap the takeaway boxes for plates in a restaurant. 

With cases still emerging around the Western Plains, residents are urged to maintain Covid-safe practices. 

Up to 8pm last night, local numbers decreased to 13 positive cases in the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD), eight of which were infectious in the community.

Of these cases, five were located in Walgett, two in Bourke, two in the Dubbo LGA, three in Orange and one in Wellington. 

In Walgett the Community College Primary School and High School have both been closed until further notice for cleaning and contact tracing, after community members tested positive for covid-19. All staff and students have been asked to self-isolate and follow NSW Health advice.

The Koolyangarra Preschool Aboriginal Corporation has also advised that, as of Sunday 10 October, they have six confirmed cases connected with their service. NSW Health have begun making contact with families whose children attended between Tuesday and Thursday last week but families are being urged to get tested and isolate in the meantime.

Officials say the high number of cases that have been infectious in the community is reason to seek out the surveillance testing in the region. 

Following increased movement, authorities are expecting to see a spike in cases across the local health district, with zero cases being far from near.  

To access the new freedoms including hosting up to 10 visitors in your home, access to gyms and other indoor recreation as well as group bookings of up to 20 people in hospitality settings, locals should ensure they have their proof of vaccination on them at all times. 

QR code check-ins will still be required at venues, and masks will remain mandatory in indoor settings. 

At the epicentre of the outbreak, the easing of restrictions in Greater Sydney looks slightly different, meaning that while travel between the regions is allowed, travel to and from Sydney, Central Coast, Wollongong, Shell Harbour and the Blue Mountains remains prohibited.  

Further information on how the restrictions impact you can be found here.