One year on: Sydney celebrates 'Freedom Day' after gruelling 107-day COVID-19 lockdown
As the clock struck one minute past midnight exactly one year ago, thousands of people across Sydney breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Dubbed "Freedom Day", October 11, 2021, marked the end of more than 100 days in hard COVID-19 lockdown for the city and much of New South Wales.
Australia's largest capital city was taking a major step towards "living with the virus" and as midnight came, glasses clinked, shopping trolleys were filled, and loved ones embraced.
READ MORE: SES receives 1000 calls for help as rivers rise in NSW
Friends toast to the end of Sydney's 107-day lockdown at the Dolphin Hotel in Surry Hills on October 11, 2021. Wolter Peeters
Bars and pubs across Sydney opened their doors to serve drinks as soon as the lockdown ended. 9News
To celebrate the newfound freedom, shoppers lined up outside stores like Kmart, excited to wander the aisles after months of browsing and buying online.
Pubs threw their doors open at the unusual time of midnight so people could have a conversation that didn't take place through a screen.
Hairdressers and beauty salons welcomed back clients ecstatic to get their home treatment fixed by a professional after 107 days.
Fitness lovers and gym-goers lifted weights and took classes, grateful they were not stuck sweating on their living room or garage floor.
READ MORE: Sydney businesses on how they're preparing to reopen
Keen shoppers lined up outside Kmart to wander the aisles and fill their trollies as the clock struck midnight. 9News
Shoppers at Liverpool Westfield the day after lockdown ended. Parts of western Sydney had some of the toughest restrictions in the country. Janie Barrett
The rule that prohibited people from travelling within five kilometres of their homes allowed them to reunite with loved ones and leave their suburbs again.
A week later, on October 18, NSW hit its target of having 80 per cent of adults double-vaccinated and people could once again welcome family and friends into their homes.
It's strange to think many celebrated New Year's Eve 2020 with just four other people.
But it wasn't joyful for all, with many still concerned about the spread of the virus, with nearly half (46 per cent) of all Australians having a chronic illness.
Fitness fans were pumped to get back in the gym as soon as they could. Nick Moir
Now, 365 days on, nearly all restrictions have been lifted.
Masks are only mandatory in high-risk healthcare settings like hospitals and aged care facilities.
The once-daily figures reports are now released at the end of each week, and in just a few days people who catch COVID-19 will no longer need to isolate at all.
Considering casual contacts had to quarantine for a fortnight at the start of the pandemic, a lot has changed in a year.
READ MORE: Mobile speed camera warning signs to return in NSW
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
Most viewed in Australia
Family-run IGA calls out Woolworths after workers scope out their grocer
Ally Langdon breaks down as she opens up about death of best friend Gavin Larkin
Footage reveals moment person of interest in Jessica Zrinski’s death found living inside a cave
Investigation under way after body found at Coober Pedy mine
