PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian has implored NSW to hold on for two more weeks, naming October 11 as the date the state will hit 70 per cent double dosed.
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The 80 per cent milestone is due to come roughly two weeks later with a raft of fresh freedoms for those who are vaccinated before the first day of summer delivers further easing.
But authorities say the success or failure of the transition phase will determine whether the plan comes to fruition, with cushioning the blow to the health system an ongoing objective.
The two square metre rule is due to return on December 1, Ms Berejiklian said, allowing more people within venues regardless of their vaccination status.
But while there are promising signs for freedom, the growing numbers of Hunter cases remain a concern for health authorities.
Hitting the 80 per cent double vaccination mark, which is expected in late October, will allow for standing consumption in hotels, travel throughout NSW and abroad as well as community sport.
The four square metre rule is expected to disappear from December 1 under the plan unveiled on Monday, but weddings and other functions will remain severely hampered for those who have not been jabbed.
Ms Berejiklian said Monday was "a disappointing day" for the unvaccinated, who will have to wait until December 1 for freedoms that vaccinated people can access in a fortnight.
"At a certain point it becomes a personal choice [not to be vaccinated]," Ms Berejiklian said.
"We just want people to be aware what the consequences of their decisions are."
Deputy Premier John Barilaro flagged the prospect that some people in areas of NSW that are outside stay-at-home orders may actually lose freedoms under the roadmap unless they seek vaccination.
The state's single dose figure officially passed 85 per cent by Monday morning, with double doses at 60 per cent.
In the Hunter there were 42 cases, with NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant calling out the region as an area of concern as risks in Sydney begin to fade.
"We are seeing increasing cases in areas around Newcastle, Muswellbrook and Singleton, and Newcastle in general,"
"We are also seeing a number of cases in Central Coast."
Staff working at Newcastle Court house have been told to stay home 'until further notice' due to a COVID-19 exposure.
It is unclear whether the court house is a casual exposure site or whether a member of staff has tested positive for COVID-19.
The closure puts on hold the progress of more than 70 matters listed for hearing or mention before three judges and two magistrates. It also affects members of the legal profession, Sheriff's officers, and Corrective Services officers, and administrative staff.
In Newcastle local government area there were seven cases in Jesmond, five in Wallsend, two in Newcastle, one in Mayfield, one in Merewether, one in Cooks Hill, one in Waratah, one in Birmingham Gardens, one in Newcastle West and one in Lambton.
Lake Macquarie had four in Cardiff, two in Blackalls Park, two in Cardiff South, one in Macquarie Hills, one in Windermere Park, one in Lakelands and one in Marmong Point
Cessnock and Maitland added four each: two in Weston, one in Abermain, one in Heddon Greta, two in Rutherford, one in East Maitland and one in Woodberry.
Port Stephens added four; two in Raymond Terrace, one in Medowie, one in Twelve Mile Creek
23 of the Hunter New England Health cases were infectious in the community, with the status of eight unknown.
28 of the cases are linked.
The region now has 485 active cases and 737 close contacts. One is in intensive care, among 13 in hospital.
NSW recorded 787 cases in Monday's update, with 12 deaths.
Churches and other places of worship will open to the unvaccinated at 80 per cent, Ms Berejiklian said, "but that's it".
She said ICU and hospital admissions had been lower than expected, but urged people to remain vigilant in the next few weeks as reopening measures drew closer.
While cases will "go through the roof", she said hospital admissions were the focus for the government once the vaccination milestones were passed.
"We are literally just a few weeks away from having that 70 per cent level of double vaccination," Ms Berejiklian said.
"It's just this week and next week we have to get through ... but I do want to stress that between 70 and 80 per cent double dose, which could be just a matter of weeks, we need to exercise a very high degree of caution."
"We envision 11th of October will be the day we will manage to adhere to that [70 per cent] roadmap," Ms Berejiklian said.