As the Central Coast prepares for the easing of COVID-19 restrictions from October 11 when the state reaches the 70 per cent fully vaccinated mark, residents have been reminded of safety precautions which will remain in place as more retail and hospitality venues open up.
COVID-Safe check-ins and proof of vaccination are required for all staff and customers and there will be a limit of one person per four square metres for all indoor public areas.
Masks are required for staff and customers who are 12 years and over in all indoor public venues, as well as for hospitality staff outdoors.
Masks are still mandatory on public transport.
Unvaccinated people, or those who have only received one vaccine dose, will not be able to: visit friends or family in their homes; access non-critical retail; attend weddings with more than five guests; go back to some workplaces; go out to pubs, or visit other premises which are open only to vaccinated customers until December 1.
You will need to show proof that you’re vaccinated when you check in to businesses.
You can get your proof of vaccination from: the Express Plus Medicare mobile app; your Medicare online account through myGov; MyHealth Record; Australian Immunisation Register (printed copy only); and the Service NSW app (coming soon).
If you are unable to be vaccinated because of a medical contraindication (which means a person should not receive a certain medicine because it may be harmful to them), you will need to get a medical exemption form signed by your doctor and carry it with you.
The Central Coast vaccination rate is now at 65.2 per cent double dosed (people aged 16 and over), while 90.3 per cent have had their first.
Now, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are available to people aged 60 and over, which is a positive step forward in the vaccine rollout says Dr Karen Price, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
“This will help us get people aged 60-plus over the line who have been holding out, although this age group has been eligible to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine for many months.
“The Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines are all extremely effective and safe, so please do the right thing and roll up your sleeve – it could be the best health decision you ever make.
“Keep in mind that children and adolescents aged 12 to 17 can only receive Pfizer or Moderna vaccine,” Dr Price said.
Meanwhile, as the Coast starts to reopen for business in the new “COVID normal”, the daily number of new COVID cases is still stubbornly hovering around the 30-40 mark.
Of the 228 new cases in the past week, the source of 101 is unknown and being investigated.
Exposure sites announced by Central Coast Local Health District in the past week are:
Service NSW Tuggerah – Sep 23, 2:35pm-3:10pm.
Lake Haven shopping centre – Coles, Sep 21, 4pm-4:35pm and Sep 27, 3:20pm-3:50pm; The Reject Shop, Sep 24, 1:25pm-1:50pm.
Gorokan Guardian Pharmacy – Sep 22, 8:50am-9:15am.
Tacoma Fishermen’s Co-op – Sep 25, 2pm-2:35pm.
Bunnings Lake Haven – Sep 21, 10:30am-10:55am; Sep 22, 10:05am-10:25am.
Wyong Village Central, Smart Dollar – Sep 20, 9am:4:30pm; Sep 21, 9am-4:30pm; Sep 22, 9am-4:30pm.
The NSW Health website has details about other sites at Kincumber, Woy Woy, Avoca Beach, Green Point shopping centre, Palm Beach Ferries, Coles Wyoming, Coles Erina, Coles Lisarow, Coles Kincumber, Woolworths Umina, Woolworths Erina Fair, Woolworths Lisarow, West Gosford, The Grange hotel and shopping centre at Wyoming.
Sue Murray
Come on everyone, if it’s the only nice thing that you can do for a fellow human this year roll up your sleeve & have a very safe vaccine.