100s of People Celebrated ‘Freedom Day’ With a Cheeky Midnight Trip to Kmart

There is no love like Aussies and their Kmart.

As many of us likely already know, today—Monday 11 October is officially Freedom Day in NSW, which means all the smart cookies that got double COVID-19 jabbed in lockdown are finally (sort-of) free to leave their homes again.

Of course, things aren’t 100 per cent back to normal, but with restrictions having lifted at midnight, it meant that heaps of Aussies are now finally able to have people over to their homes, go get their hair cut, and head out for a cheeky shop of course.

Aussies love a good Kmart shopping spree, but I don’t think anyone realised just how much we loved it until last night.

Queues at the local Kmart just minutes before midnight. #FreedomDay pic.twitter.com/b7UVixIHxP

— Liam Gilleland (@GillelandLiam) October 10, 2021

As seen in socials posts overnight, hundreds of keen shoppers have started their Freedom Day celebrations with a trip to the discount essentials store in Mount Druitt, Western Sydney.

Just before the clock struck midnight, people could be seen lining up for hundreds of meters outside the store, and later footage shows customers then rushing about the store in frenzy to get some cheap Halloween gear and home décor.

As someone who used to work in the retail industry, this is giving me serious flashbacks to the dreaded Christmas rush—RIP to the staff.

While it’s great that Sydneysiders finally have a bit of freedom back and businesses are allowed to re-open, the crowds and lines have been criticised by social media users who state that large gatherings like this have a huge risk of being a “super-spreader” event.

@dibzbaby

Reply to @bella_rose_west #greenscreenvideo Kmart Mt Druitt out of lockdown 🤣 #dibzarmy #fyp #fypシ

♬ original sound - DibzBaby Official

In a statement to 7 News, a Kmart spokesperson reassured customers that they are doing everything they can do to ensure safety in stores.

“We have a number of safety precautions in place including reduced store capacities to ensure customer and team safety,” they said.

“We are lucky to operate large format stores like supermarkets that can have a number of people safely shopping and I can confirm that none of our stores have gone over these capacities this morning.

“We know there are lots of excited customers out shopping this morning and in some stores, we have some lines of people waiting for registers or to enter – we often see this a short time after opening and we will continue to work together with our customers and continue to adhere to our safety practices and government requirements.

“We have been working with authorities and our teams to make sure everyone has an enjoyable experience in a safe and friendly shopping environment.”

I totally get the urge for a Kmart haul, especially after more than 100 days in lockdown, but remember that if you’re gonna head out to stores, businesses or events, make sure you take all precautions to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

11:59pm 12am#FreedomDay pic.twitter.com/yjnC3VqgsU

— JP3 4 PREZ (@WinChasingSZN) October 10, 2021

What things am I allowed to do this Freedom Day?

In case you need a scrub up on the details of lifted restrictions, here are all the rules for fully vaxxed people in NSW from today:

• Masks are required for all indoor settings but not for outdoor settings except for front-of-house hospitality staff.
• Home gatherings are allowed with up to 10-visitors at any one time (excluding children aged 12 and under).
• Non-critical retail reopens with density limits, as well as personal services such as hairdressers, spas, beauty and nail salons, tattoo and massage parlours for up to five clients.
• Hospitality reopens with density limits for up to 20 people per booking. Those drinking indoors must be seated but drinking outdoors may be seated or standing.
• Major recreation facilities including stadiums, theme parks, and racecourses reopen with density limits for up to 5000 people.
• Outdoor gatherings and recreation return with up to 30 people, but a two-person limit remains for those not fully vaccinated.
• Visitors to residents in aged care facilities and disability homes are permitted in line with their policies.
• Gyms, indoor recreation, and sporting facilities reopen with density limits and up to 20 people in classes. Indoor swimming pools also reopen for lessons, training and rehab activities.
• Weddings, ceremonies and funerals are permitted with density limits for up to 100 people (or a five-person limit for people who are not fully vaccinated), eating and drinking must be seated, and dancing is permitted.

PLEASE be kind to retail & hospitality workers today! 🙏🏻 Check-in, show your vaxx cert. and please don’t yell at us if we ask you to do so. We’re anxious enough having to work first day without being yelled at 💕enjoy your first day out!! #SydneyLockdown #FreedomDay #DoubleShot

— 🌸𝒫𝒾𝓃𝓀 𝑀𝑜𝒸𝒽𝒾⁷ 🌸 (@MoonchildMochix) October 10, 2021

• Places of worship reopen with density limits, up to 10 fully vaccinated singers may perform.
• Entertainment facilities including cinemas and theatres reopen with density limits of 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
• Information and education facilities including art galleries, museums and libraries reopen with density limits.
• Restricted travel within LGAs and 5km radius removed but travel from Greater Sydney to regional areas are forbidden.
• Travel holidays between regional local government areas are permitted.
• In regional NSW, staff can return to work on 11 October if they have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine but must be fully vaccinated by 1 November.
• All premises will operate at one person per four square metres indoors and one person per two square metres outdoors.

For the full list, visit the NSW Health website.

If you’re not yet vaccinated but want a taste of that sweet freedom, check out the government’s resources on COVID-19 vaccines, chat with your GP, and book an appointment at your local vaccination clinic.

If you’re not sure about your eligibility just yet, you can find out and book in at a clinic here.

Header Image: TikTok (@dibzbaby)