What once started as an uncertain whisper has now become a confident cry—we’re getting the hell out of lockdown, starting October 11.

Update: New premier Dominic Perrottet has changed the rules, we’ve done our best to update them as they apply

While Gladys said not to think of the fast-approaching date as a “freedom day” but rather “a sustained reopening to getting back to normal”, it’s pretty clear that no one really cares what it’s called as long as we can go to the pub again.

The NSW government kicked off this week by confirming their highly anticipated three-stage roadmap out of lockdown, with stage 1 commencing once NSW hits 70% fully vaccinated, aka Monday-week (11th October). Time to get your ducks in a row and that 2021 calendar out of storage: here’s the first round of stuff you can do again if you’ve had a double dose.

First things first, do everyone a favour and book an appointment with your hairdresser. Lockdown has been the great equaliser for all of us when it comes to aesthetics, and three months in, you’ve likely discovered that absolutely everyone you know has been lying about their natural hair colour. Hairdressers will be allowed to see up to five fully vaccinated clients at a time once we hit 70%. In what may be welcome news for some and the end of excuses for others, gyms too are expected to open and operate under the 4sqm rule.

Hairdresser not within your 5km radius? The dark days of your movements being governed by your postcode are no more, at least within Greater Sydney. Explore all those places that have been marked off limits these past few months—the beach, the river, the harbour, Costco…

We already mentioned the pub, but just to reiterate, they will open to the fully vaccinated from October 11, but you’ll have to sit and sip. Hospitality is set to return with a one-person per 4sqm rule and a 20 person cap on hospitality bookings. So call your favourite restaurant or watering hole and reserve a table in advance. Then call your second favourite and make a booking for the next night. Then the next night. You get the point, your home is no longer your prison. Tell your plants you love them and get out.

All retail will reopen with the one-person per 4sqm in place, too, so it’s time to give the postie some reprieve and indulge in some in-store retail therapy instead. Small businesses across the state need your help more than ever, so give Amazon the flick and shop small instead. Pretty sure astronaut Bezos will be alright.

Finally, although you’re likely sick of staying home, come Oct 11 you’ll be allowed five ten visitors inside. Depending on how well you get along with your family or friend group, this number is either nowhere near enough or way too many. As for outdoor gatherings, picnics just got a whole lot rowdier with 20 30 people allowed to gather outside.

A few weeks later, once the state hits 80% fully vaccinated, 10 20 visitors will be allowed to the home, community sport will resume, and regional travel will be permitted. But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it—right now, it’s time to make some reservations.