Last month, ex-premier Gladys Berejiklian – who resigned just last week and has been promptly replaced with the unsavoury conservative NSW treasurer, Dominic Perrottet – announced that once the state hit 70 percent double dose vaccination rates, the state could look at reopening up. Just yesterday, October 7, this dream became a reality, and as of Monday 11, we’ll be able to alfresco dine once again.

The original plan was announced at the daily coronavirus press conference last month on Thursday, September 9, and will apply to adults who are fully vaccinated, as well as children and people with medical exemptions.

“So you have been warned,” Berejiklian said in the press conference. “If you’re not vaccinated, come forward and get the vaccine, otherwise you won’t be able to participate in the many freedoms that people have at 70 percent vaccination.”

“I want to stress that whilst today the NSW Government is outlining our road map for the way forward in NSW, we are definitely not out of the woods,” Berejiklian added, after noting this morning that  1,405 new cases and sadly six deaths recorded overnight. “We know that case numbers are likely to peak in the next week or so and we also know that our hospital system will be under the greatest stress in October.

“However, we also know that living with COVID means you have a cautious and staged reopening, once you get to the high rates of vaccination in your adult population.”

Here is a list of all of the freedoms the fully vaccinated people in NSW have at the 70 percent vaccination mark

Perrottet, who was confirmed as the new NSW premier on Tuesday, October 5, has already axed Berejiklian’s well thought-out reopening plan that she hatched alongside Dr. Kerry Chant. He has introduced more relaxed protocols in what we can only assume is a sad attempt at winning the people’s affection. Unfortunately, if the premier moves too hard and fast in his plight to become a well-liked premier, there is the possibility of everything backfiring and leaving us once again in the lurch (the lockdown lurch, to be specific). Of course, this is simply speculation considering he didn’t let Dr. Chant speak at the most recent press conference where he announced these adjustments to confirm or deny much of the states worry.

Below, is a list of the newly adjusted freedoms double vaccinated folks will be able to enjoy as of October 11.

Gatherings

When it comes to hanging out with our sweet pals again, the number of visitors allowed to your home will increase from five to 10 people (excluding children 12 and under). For outdoor gatherings, it will increase from 20 to 30 people who will be able to hang out together. Which is quite a step up from the measly offering of up to five people outdoors together for only an hour.

Hospitality

The pub is making a comeback! Venues like restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs will all be allowed to reopen with one person per 4 square metres indoors, and one person per 2 square metres for outdoor spaces, similar to the eased restrictions we dealt with last year.

Up to 20 people will be allowed per booking, and people under 16 who are unvaccinated can also attend hospitality venues, but must be accompanied by a fully vaccinated member of their household.

Masks and QR code check ins will still be required indoors, but not in outdoor hospitality settings.

Standing up and drinking inside the pub will not be allowed until 80 percent vaccination coverage is reached. But if the venue has an outdoor section, feel free to duck our there for a standing beer from 11 October.

Retail

All of the shops closed during this time will be able to reopen under the one person per 4 square metres rule. The exception, is that people who aren’t fully vaccinated will only be allowed into critical retail premises – in other words, supermarkets and other shops selling essential goods.

“If you want to go and buy something which is regarded as a non-essential shop, you will have to scan the QR code and if it is not showing a green light saying you have been vaccinated, you won’t be welcome inside,” Berejiklian said.

Travel

While the NSW government initially noted that domestic travel will be allowed when the state hits its 70 percent double-dose targets, clarity has been provided, and it’s not that great just yet.

People in Sydney will no longer be required to keep within the 5km radius rule, and can travel within greater Sydney (including Central Coast, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Blue Mountains). Residents of regional LGAs can travel to other areas, but cannot enter Sydney for holidays. Sydneysiders will not yet be able to travel regionally, after the NSW government pushed back this freedom to the second stage of reopening.

Carpooling will be allowed again, and caravan parks will reopen.

On the note of international travel (!!!) Berejiklian said, “I have every confidence that by the time New South Wales gets to 80 percent double dose – and I don’t think too many states will be too far behind – that we will then, at that stage, not have any internal borders in Australia and our eye will be towards international travel as well.”

Fitness and beauty

Under the one person per square meter rule, Gyms and indoor and outdoor sporting facilities will reopen, including swimming pools, with classes capped at 20 fully vaccinated people.

Indoor pools will only be accessible for lessons, lap swimming and rehabilitation activities, not recreation. Community sport won’t be allowed to restart yet.

We will also be able to get a trim once again, with hairdressers allowed to have up to five clients at a time in addition to the one person per 4 square metres rule. The same applies to nail salons and similar venues. Hoorah for a bit of pampering and to get rid of our ghastly split ends. When 80% vaccine coverage is reached, the cap will be removed, but the same density limit will apply.

Masks

While fully vaccinated folks will be able to enjoy a range of freedoms, masks will remain mandatory for everyone over the age of 12 in all public, indoor venues like shops and on public transport. Masks outside will no longer be required except for hospitality staff on the clock.

Outdoor entertainment

I smell live music! Outdoor facilities like stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos will be able to reopen under the one person per 4 square metres rule, with a cap of 5,000 people. Other outdoor events like outdoor gigs will be allowed to have up to 500 people, with the requirement that everyone is seated, and indoor venues like theatres, cinemas, museums and galleries, will be required to adhere to the one person per four square metres rule with a cap of just 75 seated people.

Indoor entertainment

Entertainment and information facilities like cinemas, museums, libraries and theatres will be allowed to reopen, under the one person per 4 sq metres rule and a 75% fixed seating capacity.

Weddings, funerals and places of worship

The caps in relation to weddings and funerals will increase from 50 to 100 people, with people required to remain seated while eating and drinking. Places of worship will be able to reopen under the one person per 4 square metres rule, with singing only permitted for performers. There will be a 10 person limit on choirs, and all performers will have to be fully vaccinated.

So there you have it! While the roadmap for the lockdown exit and these freedoms are exciting and refreshing, it is important to note that if any areas have mass outbreaks, the state government won’t hesitate to lock us back down, vaccinated or not, so it’s important to continue being safe and responsible as we navigate our way through this next phase.

image: @womenandfilm

The post Here are all the changes Dominic Perrottet has made to the NSW lockdown exit roadmap appeared first on RUSSH.

Annie Hamilton and Rosie Fitzgerald know these feelings well. Both create in many ways – visually, sonically, most often with words. Annie Hamilton is a singer songwriter who also designs and produces clothes under the same name. Rosie Fitzgerald is a musician too, who plays in Sydney band I Know Leopard and takes photos. Their friendship has allowed them to collaborate in many ways – musically and other, and now more than ever, having lived together throughout the pandemic. Stepping into their bubble for a moment is a refreshing reminder that living in a creative share house at a time like this can be an opportunity to work together and has its challenges that can be valuable lessons in the process too.

A: So, we’ve been working together creatively for five years now! That’s wild! How did this happen?

R: Well, I remember modelling some of the clothes for your label, and taking some photos of you working in your studio…

A: And then you came over and took the photo, which became the single artwork for Fade. So it’s cool that this series of photos was created in the same environment. 

R: Yeah, that was a cool moment. It was exciting because photography for me was like a little secret hobby, or a thing that kept me sane while travelling and doing music. It was like my own little creative baby that I never wanted anyone to touch, but I always wanted to do something with. I didn’t know that I could create something like that, so it was a big thing. I felt really honoured doing it for that song as well, because I felt really connected to it. 

A: It was awesome because we were just experimenting and trying whatever random ideas that popped into our heads. 

R: Yeah, definitely. And there wasn’t any negative pressure or stress.

A: Yeah, it wasn’t like ‘we need ten good photos’ because we just figured, if we didn’t get any good photos we could just do another shoot. And that’s kinda how we’ve always done it. And I also feel like… you can read my mind… 

R: How important is collaboration in the creative process? For me, it’s definitely important. 

A: I work on my own projects a lot and it can get really exhausting, so it’s so nice to have someone else to bounce ideas off and to get excited about things with. 

R: You can get stuck in your own little world and there are things you can’t see, then other people come in and show you something from a different angle. It’s really essential. I think every form of creativity comes down to being able to connect with another human, to know that you’re not alone, to have that exchange. So it makes sense to invite other people into the process. 

A: How do you think we inspire or influence each other’s creative pursuits?

R: You have always been a mega inspiration. I’ve always been inspired and impressed by the honesty in your creative pursuits and your ability to get shit done. In your label, your music and your life in general, from my perspective you’re always planning and continually looking ahead.

A: Awwwww *embarrassed shock* – I think being in lockdown together has been really cool because we have really egged each other on. The thing I love about your creativity is that you’re always doing interesting secret projects. Like, you disappear into your room and draw or do tattoos or learn the cello or take photos. You always have these secret creative projects and I love them. I have also loved doing this shoot because we’ve really encouraged each other to keep creating, which can be really tough in lockdown. 

R: I think most people can relate to that lockdown feeling – like everything’s a bit pointless. So this project has really spurred us on. 

A: I also think that when you’re creative for a living it can really drain the enjoyment out of it, because all of a sudden there’s financial pressure and that can kill it. It becomes your job and you can lose the spark, the thing that made you do it in the first place. But you’re really good at finding the spark. Like, you’re doing it because you have this urge. It’s really refreshing. 

R: Aw thanks Annie! My new favourite one is rearranging spaces. 

A: Our house is also a really nice environment to just sit down and play the piano. There are instruments everywhere. 

A: Do you think we approach creativity differently as a practice? Like, some people wait for the muse to show up, some are more of a routine sit-down-and-work type…

R: I can say you are a sit-down type. A constant worker. 

A: Yeah, I think I need to set myself really strict routine times to work because otherwise I would just potter around the house and garden all day every day. Like, I wouldn’t get anything done. 

R: You might be one of the most consistent creatives I know, to be honest.

A: But I think the only way to do it for me is to treat it as a 9-5 job. I mean, it’s often way more than 9-5, but if I am getting up early and sitting at my desk at the same time every day, it becomes more normal. I have to do that because otherwise I wouldn’t do anything. I’m a real procrastinator. 

R: See the problem is, I feel like that’s the right way to do it, but I can’t do that. 

A: I don’t think it’s right – I don’t think there is a right way to do it.

R: But when you look at how people create, it feels like that’s the way people get shit done. But I’ve never been that way and I have to be fine with it. I think I’m trying to learn how to work with myself – having bipolar and figuring out how to live with that. It has been really frustrating for me because I can’t be consistent – I have these times when I can’t do anything. 

A: And if you have the pressure to be constantly doing stuff, it just makes you feel guilty and it doesn’t help.

R: It doesn’t help at all. Sometimes there is too much negative emotion attached to one creative pursuit, so I have to put my energy into another area that works for me at that point in time. That’s why I like to have lots of different things going on at once – that is self-care for me. 

A: Absolutely. 

R: How has lockdown affected your creativity?

A: I have found it really hard. Like I’ve been bashing my head against the wall a lot of the time trying to come up with good stuff. R: There’s nothing to look forward to – do you think that comes into it? 

A: Exactly – so much of music for me is playing live. That’s the thing – that’s why I do it. So it has been hard not having that in my life. And I miss travelling – I used to write so much on planes. When you get really emotional in the altitude, do you get that?

R: Haha yes

A: I get so emo at altitude and I write so much stuff. Maybe it’s just the sense of moving or going somewhere. But I also think the only way to get over it is to just keep going. And keep doing stuff. Sitting and just playing for fun. Practicing piano. It has been really nice, like rediscovering the joy of music that’s not necessarily for an end goal. 

R: Nice. It’s weird – I feel like this second lockdown has made me nostalgic for that feeling of being a kid. First lockdown I didn’t want to do anything – I was just sad. But this time I have got to a point of just exploring things and finding things that I like and that interest me. Even not seeing that many people is kinda refreshing, like you don’t have that pressure all the time. You can explore yourself in a new way. 

A: It’s true, it’s refreshing to not always have to be productive.

R: As a kid you spend so much time in your house anyway, just playing. Reimagining different areas around the house has been fun – like our little sunbaking spot on the roof and our romantic table in the back corner of the garden. 

R: How do you feel when you’re creatively blocked?

A: I try to do something else creative. 

R: But how do you feel?

A: How do I feel? Horrible! 

R: What’s that for you? Explain it!

A: When I’m creatively blocked, it’s like, ‘I suck, I’m not a musician, I will never write a song ever again, I’ll never come up with anything ever again, I’m not good at music, why am I even bothering, why am I even trying, I should never have begun, I’m a loser and everyone hates me”

R: Heavy.

A: That’s what’s going through my head hahaha. And the only way to stop it is to do something else creative, even if it’s cooking or gardening or going for a walk. Just do something. How do you feel when you’re blocked?

R: I feel like this big thing – the main thing that I like in life – is not there, and I don’t know how to get it back.

A: Omg that makes me so sad!!!

R: Hahaha it’s so dark. It’s awful. It’s such an identity crisis, like it’s a part of you that’s gone.A: It really is. Especially when you open up instagram and you see everyone else’s achievements. You see this highlight reel of all the amazing things they’ve done. And then you’re like, oh my god, I can’t compete with this, I suck. 

R: Yeah fully. So true. Also this lockdown I’ve tried to be off social media as much as possible, which I’ve really enjoyed. 

A: Yep. I’ve spent a lot of time deleting instagram… redownloading it, deleting it, redownloading it, posting, deleting… redownloading it every now and then to check in, and then being like no no no no no i’m not ready, delete.

R: Funny. So true. 

A: But I’ve also been trying to remind myself of the value in procrastination and daydreaming. I don’t come up with my best creative ideas when I’m sitting at my desk. I come up with those when I’m outside, going for a run, walking around the garden, procrastinating. And then I scurry inside and quickly write them all down. Procrastination is really important in my process. You have to let your mind wander because that’s where your imagination is and you need to indulge it. Giving yourself time to sit and stare out the window is the most important part of the process (completely contradicting my strict desk hours!)

R: It’s true! I love those times. I know that feeling. 

A: Which do you enjoy more – taking the photo or being in the photo? How do you find they differ creatively?

R: That’s a cool question. At times I have felt like I had to do one or the other, and it didn’t make sense to do both. I honestly love both – they both have so much space for expression. 

A: Either way, you need to be engaging with the person on the other side of the lens. It’s not like taking a photo of a tree.

R: It’s like a conversation.

A: My favourite photos are the ones where it feels like you’ve stumbled across an in-between moment, like you catch a little glimpse of something. 

R: That’s the coolest thing about it right! When it all works together. We have those days where we take so many photos but there will be one where all the elements come together perfectly. Which do you prefer?  

A: Now I love both, whereas I used to hate having my photo taken. Especially working with you, I can relax and be myself and there’s no pressure. The best photos are when I’m not thinking about how I’m looking, whereas I used to be really self-conscious and then get really awkward. 

R: It gets back to the childlike thing – dressing up, playing, expressing yourself, feeling in your body, it’s so fun. 

A: It’s about practice as well. It’s about not taking yourself so seriously. 

R: agreed! 

The post A refreshingly honest conversation on creativity and living together in lockdown with Rosie and Annie appeared first on RUSSH.

This is a trying and tragic time for many who are physically affected. Mental health-wise, it’s not getting any easier either. It feels as though we’ve exhausted almost every option of home activities in the past three months, but as another lockdown approaches/is upon us, it’s time to get creative. Below are some restriction-pending isolation activities to try as we enter this next phase.

Try Ceramics

A deeply cathartic and therapeutic practice, getting creative with your hands can be a release for the mind and body. Back in April, we spoke with Rachel Saunders about the easiest way to get into clay at home.

Host an intimate dinner party

If you’re in a state where restrictions are more relaxed and have a group of friends you trust have been staying safe, a small dinner party is the perfect weekend activity to charge your social battery while staying off the streets. It’s important to support local during this time, so if cooking is not for you, order in from one of your favourite restaurants and make like it’s just come out of the kitchen.

Get into Zoom trivia

As much as Zoom haunts most of us at this point, Zoom trivia can be a fun way to connect with friends while actually engaging in a stimulating activity rather than having the deathly ‘Zoom wine’, take turns with your pals preparing questions or source them off the web, and get nerdy.

Start a vegetable garden

It’s almost spring, and I’m personally not sure if there is anything better than homegrown vegetables. If you have space/sun, go nuts on the Bunnings website and try your hand at nurturing your own seedlings. If you live in the city, getting your hands in some soil, caring for your vegetables and watching them grow can be oh-so soothing. For a cost-effective option, you can purchase seeds, generic potting mix and some pots for a total of around $30. The joy they bring upon sprouting is priceless.

Move in creative ways

I will never be the one to tell you to ‘get active’ because that kind of unsolicited advice is what I spend most of my time on the internet trying to avoid. What I will say, is that finding new, actually fun ways to move about can be joyful and useful. Suggestions include: roller skating, interpretive dance, boxing with a partner/housemate.

Image credit: @fashiiongonerogue

The post Staying inside? Here are some isolation activities appeared first on RUSSH.