Local clubs along with other hospitality, retail and services will reopen on Monday, October 11 for the fully-vaccinated.
There are bound to be lines to enter venues on 'freedom day' when non-essential businesses reopen after more than three months of COVID-19 lockdown.
Windsor RSL is looking forward to reopening with new facilities following 12 months of building renovations.
General Manager, Tony Jeffcott said the team was able to make use of the three-month shutdown to complete the first phase of the building program and undertake renovations to every room in the building.
"Windsor RSL is excited to be reopening to show off the first phase of new building to our 50,000 members and the local community," he said.
"Windsor RSL will now provide hospitality standards the Hawkesbury has never seen."
During the lockdown period Windsor Golf's Clubhouse also received an upgrade, and amalgamation with the Windsor RSL was approved.
"Going forward Windsor RSL and Windsor Golf will adhere to the directions put forward in the NSW Government Health Orders," said Mr Jeffcott.
"In the immediate period, there will be restrictions on the number of persons permitted into both the RSL and Golf Clubs (including golf course), together with the requirements for patrons to be fully vaccinated, and financial membership of Windsor RSL.
"The community should visit our Facebook page and website for regular updates."
Richmond Club CEO Kimberley Talbot said the reopening was "very exciting and a relief to everyone - both staff members and of course visitors".
She said entry would look a little different, with COVID check-ins required.
"It's going to be very difficult to police for a number of reasons, however, we will have an upgraded electronic sign-on system at the club where members can sign in the first time with their vaccination green slip and thereafter the entry process will be simplified," Ms Talbot said.
"Visitors to the club will be a bit slower to ensure that we always, not only adhere to the health orders, but to keep our staff and members as safe as we possibly can."
The club will be introducing rapid antigen testing for their staff, at the club's cost - something the business was across "due to the unfortunate outbreak at the aged care site", the Richmond Club-owned Hawkesbury Living Aged Care at Richmond.
"We have seen firsthand the severe effect, and how fast this virus can infect people. Fortunately, we have had great results with residents and staff as most were double vaccinated, and most of those who contracted the virus, were asymptomatic," Ms Talbot said.
"Unfortunately, we have also seen the effects of COVID, complicating the health issues of some of the elderly and that can be devastating. We've also seen the effects of COVID with younger staff that were not vaccinated.
"This leads us to greater issues when the health orders are lifted."
After NSW hits the 70 per cent double jab mark this week, a wide range of freedoms will be given for those who are fully vaccinated.
The following are in line with the changes made to the COVID reopening roadmap by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet this morning (Thursday).
Visiting family and friends
- Up to 10 visitors allowed in your home at any one time (visitor limits don't apply for children under the age of 12).
- Small outdoor gatherings and recreation permitted with up to 30 people (2-person limit for people who are not fully vaccinated).
- Visitors to residents in aged care facilities and disability homes permitted in line with their policies.
Shopping and personal services
- Non-critical retail reopens with density limits (people who are not fully vaccinated can only access non-critical retail via Click & Collect).
- Personal services (including hairdressers, spas, beauty and nail salons, tattoo and massage parlours) reopen with density limits for up to 5 clients.
Restaurants and hospitality
- Hospitality reopens with density limit for up to 20 people per booking (takeaway only for people who are not fully vaccinated).
- No singing indoors (except for performers).
- Drinking indoors must be seated, but drinking outdoors may be seated or standing.
- Dancing permitted outdoors, dancing indoors not permitted (except at weddings).
All premises will operate at 1 person per 4sqm indoors and 1 person per 2sqm outdoors.
Exercise and recreation
- Gyms, indoor recreation and sporting facilities reopen with density limits and up to 20 people in classes.
- No distance limits apply for exercise or recreation.
- Indoor swimming pools open for lessons, training and rehab activities.
- Community sports not permitted.
Weddings and religious services
- Weddings ceremonies permitted with density limit for up to 100 people (5-person limit for people who are not fully vaccinated).
- Wedding receptions permitted with density limit for up to 100 people (not permitted for people who are not fully vaccinated), eating and drinking must be seated, and dancing is permitted.
- Funerals permitted with density limit for up to 100 people (10-person limit for people who are not fully vaccinated) and eating and drinking must be seated.
- Places of worship reopen with density limit.
- Up to 10 fully vaccinated singers may perform in places of worship and at religious services.
Events and entertainment
- Major recreation facilities (including stadiums, theme parks, and race courses) reopen with density limits for up to 5000 people, or by exemption.
- Entertainment facilities (including cinemas and theatres) reopen with the greater of the density limit or 75% fixed seated capacity.
- Information and education facilities (including art galleries, museums and libraries) reopen with density limits.
- Ticketed and seated outdoor public gatherings permitted for up to 500 people with density limit.
- Amusement centres and nightclubs remain closed.
Travel and transport
- Restricted travel within LGAs and 5km radius removed. Travel for holidays between Greater Sydney (including Central Coast, Wollongong, Shellharbour and Blue Mountains) and Regional NSW are not permitted.
- No distance limits for travel. Travel holidays between Greater Sydney (including Central Coast, Wollongong, Shellharbour and Blue Mountains) and Regional NSW are not permitted.
- Travel holidays between regional local government areas are permitted.
- Carpooling permitted (members of your household only for people who are not fully vaccinated).
- Caravan parks and camping grounds reopen (including for people who are not fully vaccinated).
Sarah Falson
Daily Liberal journalist. I love telling people's stories. Get in touch at sarah.falson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Daily Liberal journalist. I love telling people's stories. Get in touch at sarah.falson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
