Dominic Perrottet said that ongoing concerns around the regions’ vaccination rates caused the pushback, and stood by what he acknowledged was an “unpopular” decision.“I know people want to visit family, I know people want to visit friends, I know people want to go on holidays,” Mr Perrottet said.“This will not be popular. But we’re not here to make popular decisions, we are here to make the right decisions… it was the right one.”He claimed while there was “confidence” in Sydney due to high vax rates, it didn’t exist in the regions yet. “A lot of that is to do with concerns around the vaccination rate not being where it needs to be compared to Sydney,” he said.“I understand there is inconvenience… but when we get through this 2-week period to the start of November, vaccination rates be where they are in Sydney and we will be able to open up.”Travel between Greater Sydney and the regions has been delayed until November 1 despite promises to scrap the travel restriction at 80 per cent double vaccination.Deputy Premier Paul Toole revealed the restart date on breakfast radio this morning, saying the delay would help “protect” regional areas with lagging jab rates.“We want to give people certainty, putting a date on it,” Mr Toole told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.“It’s protecting regional communities health, and protecting the ability of businesses to open their doors and keep doors open.”Mr Toole argued the date needed to be delayed to also stave off any threat of a lockdown in the regions.”(Businesses) can welcome people back for Christmas trade, the worst thing would be to see them having a lockdown and not receiving the trade,” he said.The reopening road map had previously promised that Greater Sydney residents would be allowed to travel into the regions when restrictions at the 80 per cent threshold.NAT – Stay Informed – Social Media
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