Sep 27, 2021

Alex DruceNCA NewsWire Topics A trip to Bunnings and a dip at the local pool are among the new activities available to Sydney’s hardest-hit Covid regions, after hotspot restrictions were wound back at the weekend. The changes to NSW public health orders mean the general public – and not just tradies – are allowed to head to garden centres, hardware stores, and timber yards. Other changes mean masks are no longer needed in the 12 LGAs of concern when exercising, while most outdoor public pools are also set to reopen to vaccinated and unvaccinated people across Sydney. Construction sites are due to return to full capacity. Camera Icon The latest easing comes after the state passed the 60 per cent double-dose vaccination mark. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is also this week due to outline the freedoms double-vaccinated people will be able to enjoy at an 80 per cent threshold. At the weekend she declared it was safe for NSW residents to start booking Christmas holidays. “In NSW it is definitely safe to book for Christmas, to think ahead for the future but also to definitely look at November as a month where you can start planning,” she said. Bunnings Warehouses in the Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield, and Penrith LGAs are now open to physical visits from customers after having to close their doors to limit the spread of the Delta outbreak. Camera Icon Bunnings is still urging people in Greater Sydney to use online options for non-urgent items. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz Credit: News Corp Australia Bunnings is still urging people in Greater Sydney to use online options for non-urgent items, but was nonetheless happy it could open its doors to a swath of locked-down customers. “This will provide residents of Western Sydney with better access to essential products needed to complete emergency home repairs, maintenance and prepare homes for storm season,” Bunnings said. All visitors and staff are still required to wear masks. Masks are no longer required, however, when people in the 12 LGAs are exercising. Previously this was only allowed when performing ‘strenuous exercise’. NSW recorded 961 new community cases on Sunday and nine deaths. There were 1,146 people in hospital, including 222 in intensive care.