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Sydney has reopened, but how easy will it be to get booked in?

Sydney has emerged from lockdown after more than 15 weeks.

In that time, we've not just been denied time with family, friends, and colleagues but things like haircuts, a meal in an actual restaurant, or a drink at a real-life pub.

It is understandable a lot of people want to do a lot of things – immediately.

But, with more than five million people keen to catch up on all these things after more than four months it may be a little tricky.

So I tried to make bookings at hairdressers, gyms, restaurants, and pubs around Sydney to see how quickly you can expect to get booked.

Just a note – you need to be fully vaccinated or have a valid exemption to do these things before December 1.

READ MORE: Sydney businesses on how they're preparing to reopen

A busy Little jack horner cafe in Coogee. Reopening of retail, cafes and hairdressers in Coogee. Story by Anna Patty. 11th oct 2021. Photo: Edwina Pickles / SMH

Restaurants

Using platforms that show the availability for many venues like Opentable and The Fork I checked for bookings at a range of eateries.

Many local businesses such as Thai and Indian restaurants across Sydney have seats available throughout October and November.

Italian chain Fratelli Fresh was booked out for dinner for all of October at the Westfield Sydney location.

But the much larger Darling Harbour restaurant had availabilities throughout October and beyond, for various size groups.

Mexican chain Zambrero doesn't appear to take online bookings, nor does healthy burger joint Grill'd.

But both have locations all across Sydney for dine-in or takeaway if you're looking for an easy mid-week meal or family catch-up.

You do need to be fully vaccinated to dine-in and hospitality venues must adhere to the one person per four square metres rule – so expect places to be busier than usual.

READ MORE: Lockdown is over: NSW celebrates lifting of COVID-19 restrictions

At the Meat & Wine Co in Parramatta, there are bookings available nearly every day from when it reopens, however, some sittings only offer a set menu.

Ester, the fine dining restaurant in Chippendale, did not have a single dinner slot available on its website until the end of November but did have a note to call for more information.

Porteno, which runs the Porteno Restaurant in Surry Hills, Bodega 1904 in Tramsheds and the Wyno x Bodega wine bar in the city is reopening on October 12.

At Porteno there are a few slots left for early or late dinner but most weekends through October are booked out. There are tables available for November but again early or late.

Hairdressers

Just Cuts are known for their walk-in business model, which makes things slightly more complicated in a pandemic world of check-ins and contact tracing.

They've introduced an app that works as a digital queue so people are not lining up around salons. It went live at 9am today.

You can check in from up to 15 kilometres away and you'll be alerted when it's your turn to go into the salon.

Because of this, they are expecting there will be wait times at their salons. Website traffic was up 188 per cent on Friday compared to the same day last month.

Salon owners also say they've had a huge influx of messages on social media about appointments and vaccine requirements.

READ MORE: Can I leave my 5km bubble now NSW restrictions have lifted?

sydney haircut freedom day

New client numbers doubled after the last reopening, so they are expecting to be even busier than last time, serving back-to-back clients for weeks after reopening.

Meantime high-end salon Edwards and Co have more than 2000 appointments across their Sydney salons that needed rescheduling.

Once they make their way through those appointments and then book in everyone who emailed them during lockdown, then they will open online bookings.

They expect to be "fully booked" up until Christmas to catch up on all the missed appointments.

Clients who had an existing appointment will have priority but they are open to everyone. 

Pubs and Bars

Until restrictions ease further, pubs and other hospitality venues need to adhere to the 4 square metre rule and people must remain seated while drinking inside.

Therefore most venues are asking people to book in advance.

For example, The Glenmore Hotel in the Rocks, which has a rooftop with sweeping views of Sydney Harbour, is taking bookings for both lunch and dinner.

Based on the times available it is offering two seatings for lunch and a few for dinner too. There are slots available most days.

Many other watering holes across the city and suburbs will let you walk in for a drink or a meal, but that all depends on the time of day and availability.

NOTE: This information is accurate at the time of publication.

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What international travel will look like once borders open

Expect turbulence after take-off.

That's the warning from aviation experts once Australians start flying overseas again, 18 long months after our international borders snapped shut.

Travellers will need to arrange a Visible Digital Seal (VDS) before they depart, to prove they've been fully vaccinated, including any coronavirus booster shots, and there will be longer, patience-sapping queues at passport control booths – at least initially.

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, Qantas flight QF100, prepares to take off from Kingsford Smith International airport.

READ MORE: Simple idea turns Gold Coast schoolboy into millionaire

"There's going to be confusion and chaos," David Chadwick, director for identity and biometrics for Unisys in Asia Pacific, told 9News.com.au, explaining how Australia and other countries are now rushing to update and synchronise their coronavirus border technology.

"My gut feel is at least six months," Mr Chadwick said, drawing on "insider knowledge" based on his time as Australian lead for biometric passports with United Nations agency the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

"And within six months I think the major countries will settle down.

"If you're traveling to more out-of-the-way places, I think that confusion is going to reign for probably most of next year.

"But I think that first six months, seven months, I think it's going to be utter confusion."

READ MORE: German prosecutor 'confident' he has found Madeleine McCann's killer

Aviation analyst and associate professor at RMIT Chrystal Zhang agreed, warning Australians are in for a "bumpy start" when international travel resumes.

"Australians should still dream and plan their overseas holidays," Ms Zhang said, "but we need to expect some ups and downs until everything settles down."

These are the key issues highlighted by our experts when we asked what international travel will look like once the borders open.

You'll need a Visible Digital Seal

Applied for before travelling, the VDS is a 2D barcode that could be a sticker in your passport, printed out on paper or stored on your phone, Mr Chadwick said. Issued at a federal level, the VDS will contain your coronavirus vaccine status, and all countries, including Australia, will be able to trust that verifiable information.

And that's where longer waits could arise

Issuing the VDS is easy. The problems will arise because not every country can or will move at the same time with the VDS initiative, Mr Chadwick said. Countries that don't have the tech to read the VDS will result in longer processing times at customs. Similarly, travellers coming to Australia from countries without a VDS will cause log jams at our international airports. "The key word is trust," Mr Chadwick said. The VDS needs to be trusted in the same way e-passports store authenticated traveller information.

What countries will Australia sync up with most easily?

The likes of the US, UK, Singapore, Canada and New Zealand, Mr Chadwick said. "I know Europe have got their own sort of standard but I think they'll very quickly move to accept the VDS as well as expect reciprocity for their standard."

Returning Aussies a good test run

Mr Chadwick said the trickle of stranded Australians able to return home and Australian outbound travellers making early trips abroad will help bed in the system, before mass volumes return.

Masks on flights, less service

No surprises here, but you can expect to wear a mask while on a plane except when eating. Food and drink services will be dialled right back, particularly in economy.

One week quarantine in Australia could deter foreign visitors

Some tourists will see the one-week home quarantine in Australia as "a hurdle" they are unwilling to jump, Ms Zhang said, while others – such as international students – will of course be happy to take the hit. Fiji today announced it was opening to international visitors in December, with fully vaccinated tourists from a "green list" of 15 countries, which includes Australia, not required to quarantine.

Tourism generates $94 billion in spending and contributes nearly $34 billion to Australia's GDP, directly employs over 500,000 people and earns nearly 10 per cent of our total export earnings, according to Tourism Australia data.

Qantas ready, but other carriers slower to return

Qantas planes and routes are being primed for takeoff. But the sight of other carriers in Australian skies will take longer, Ms Zhang said. She expected the other big carriers from the US, China, Asia and Europe to begin ramping up flights from March-April next year.

2022 a challenging time for airlines

Airlines have been hemorrhaging billions of dollars during the pandemic, and there will be difficult times ahead. Fluctuations in route demand will make it hard for airlines to plan. Oil prices have risen sharply in recent months, and many airlines had laid off thousands of skilled pilots, aircrew and workers, some who will never return to the industry.

READ MORE: What you can do on 'Freedom Day' if you are fully vaccinated