Double-vaccination rules explained

In some venues, children under 16 will have to be accompanied by a fully vaccinated member of their household to enter.

Which settings will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination?

• Hospitality venues (unless collecting take-away)

• Non-critical retail stores

• Personal services

• Sporting, recreation and entertainment facilities and events.

Critical retail such as supermarkets or pharmacies will still be accessible for people who are not fully vaccinated.

How can customers, staff and visitors show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status?

Once fully vaccinated (two doses) with an approved COVID-19 vaccine, there are several options to access and share proof of COVID-19 vaccination:

• COVID-19 digital certificate can be accessed through the Medicare app, or Medicare online account through myGov. The COVID-19 digital certificate can be added to a smartphone wallet or similar.

• An immunisation history statement can be accessed from My Health Record.

• Printed version of the COVID-19 digital certificate or immunisation history statement (available through myGov).

• COVID-19 digital certificate can also be added to a Service NSW app and shared as part of a QR check-in.

For people without a Medicare card:

• Call the Australian Immunisation Register and ask for an immunisation history statement to be posted. It can take up to 14 days to arrive.

• Add a COVID-19 digital certificate to a smartphone wallet or similar using the Individual Healthcare Identifiers service (IHI service) through myGov.

For people without a smartphone or online access:

A COVID-19 digital certificate or immunisation history statement can be accessed via myGov to download and print.

For people with a medical exemption:

If you have a medical reason for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, you will require one of the following:

• NSW Health medical contraindication form completed by a registered medical practitioner.

• Medical clearance notice issued by NSW Health.

A reminder that penalties may apply for making or presenting a fake form of proof of vaccination.

Can businesses force an unvaccinated customer to leave the premises? There are public health orders in place that require a person to be vaccinated in certain indoor areas and public outdoor gatherings in NSW, unless an exemption applies.

If the occupier of the premises believes that a person does not have a valid exemption, the occupier can ask the person to leave the premises. If the person refuses, the occupier of the premises can notify the police.