There are just two weeks to go until New South Wales implements a raft of freedoms in the first stage of a three-step plan.
Those who are vaccinated will be able to take part in the relaxed restrictions while those who haven’t had the jab will have to wait until December.
But NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller says officers won’t be checking on the vaccination status of people out and about from October 11.
Speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham this morning, Mr Fuller said: “The role of police in terms of vaccine passports, we will not be walking through restaurants, cafes and pubs checking if people are double vaccinated.”
“(But) we will certainly be assisting restaurant owners and shop owners if they are refusing entry to someone – we’ll certainly respond to assist those people.
“The role for police in terms of vaccination won’t be stopping people and asking to see their vaccination passports.”
He expects NSW Public Health orders to be in place by October 11. Mr Fuller said venues had the right to refuse entry to those not obeying dress codes, likening that to vaccines.
“We are anticipating there will be businesses who will be calling us for assistance on the right to refuse someone entry to their premises.”
From October 11 – once the state has reached a full vaccination rate of 70 per cent – dining and retail will return and up to five people will be allowed inside homes.
Even greater freedoms will come in once 80 per cent of the population has had both doses, including travel around the state.
That is expected to begin from approximately October 25.
NSW will then move to a “third stage” of opening on December 1, around five weeks after the state hits its 80 per cent double dose target.
By then the government is hoping the double-dose vaccination rate will hit or surpass 90 per cent.
In this third stage, almost all restrictions will drop away and more freedoms will be offered to the unvaccinated.
Yesterday, NSW recorded 787 new cases of coronavirus – one of the lowest daily tallies in a month. A further 12 people lost their lives. 9News