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Fully vaccinated NSW residents have spent 106 days in COVID-19 lockdown but the era of "blood, sweat and no beers" will on Monday draw to a close, Premier Dominic Perrottet says.

On its final day of lockdown on Sunday, the state reported 477 new local COVID-19 cases and six deaths.

None of the group - all men - were fully vaccinated.

NSW on Friday tipped over 90 per cent first-dose vaccination coverage, while more than 73 per cent are now fully jabbed.

Having surpassed the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination milestone early last week, stay-at-home orders will cease for the fully vaccinated population from Monday.

Greater Sydney was locked down on June 25 due to a Delta strain outbreak in Bondi - more than 15 weeks ago.

Gyms, cafes, restaurants, pools, shops, hairdressers and beauticians will reopen from Monday and people will be allowed to venture more than five kilometres from home.

Indoor and outdoor gatherings will also be permitted, with caps increased last week to 10 and 30 people respectively.

However the unvaccinated remain locked down until December.

"It's been 100 days of blood, sweat and no beers but we're back in action tomorrow," Mr Perrottet told reporters on Sunday.

"NSW is leading the country out of this pandemic.

"The government hasn't achieved this feat ... it (was) all the people of this state, all the sacrifices they have made."

Mr Perrottet said it was the government's "intention" that statewide or region-wide lockdowns are never needed again but targeted restrictions may occasionally be required.

He also said the NSW government was working to push forward the reopening of international borders - for the double vaccinated who can home quarantine - to early November.

A home quarantine pilot program is currently underway in NSW.

Double-vaccinated residents have nevertheless been encouraged to take care when enjoying restored freedoms and show respect to workers in hospitality or beauty services.

It comes as Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga and Lismore are confirmed as the sites for a pilot program of the Service NSW app's vaccination passport function.

The 500-person pilot will start on Monday - despite the need for the fully vaccinated from Monday to show proof of status.

NSW residents who have received two vaccine doses will thus need to register details through the Medicare app.

Customer Services Minister Victor Dominello said he hoped the function could be fully rolled out later this month.

"It's really hard being leaders and everyone in NSW is leading because no one else in the country is opening like this," he said.

"It's not perfect but nothing is ever perfect, particularly in pandemic settings ... what we've got to do is be respectful, make sure we're kind to one another, work with one another."

The NSW opposiiton says the vaccination certificate should've been finalised long before the end of lockdown.

"The delay of the vaccine app will leave businesses in the firing line as our state begins to reopen," Labor's Yasmin Catley said.

But Mr Perrottet said NSW "can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good" and he can't wait for the app to ease restrictions.

The premier also said he remained confident NSW's high vaccination rate would keep hospitalisation rates manageable.

There are 794 COVID-19 patients in NSW hospitals, with 159 in intensive care units and 76 on ventilators.

© AAP 2021

England will name their Ashes squad on Sunday, with captain Joe Root heading up a group that is as close to full strength as possible in the ongoing absence of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer.

Fears that the marquee series would be downgraded to something of a sideshow, with a host of first-choice players pondering withdrawal from the trip to Australia due to COVID-related restrictions, have abated and there are unlikely to be any notable opt-outs.

That means the likelihood of Root being joined by vice-captain Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan and Mark Wood, who were among those whose participation was at one stage far from certain but who will travelling after a month away at the T20 World Cup in the UAE.

With star allrounder Stokes still focusing on his mental health and recovery from a second finger operation and strike bowler Archer sidelined with a long-standing elbow issue, head coach Chris Silverwood is thought to have settled on a familiar-looking squad of around 18.

Those hoping for eye-catching selections may be disappointed, with the likes of big-hitting allrounder Liam Livingstone and his legspinning Lancashire colleague Matt Parkinson set to be named instead in the Lions squad that will provide back-up early in the tour.

Instead, England will continue to rely on the majority of players that have carried them through a difficult year of Test cricket, including defeats in six of their last nine matches.

With Dom Sibley axed from the new round of central contracts, Silverwood is likely to stick with Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed and Zak Crawley as top-order options with Malan, Root and Ollie Pope alongside wicketkeeper-batters Bairstow and Buttler in the middle order.

Fellow gloveman Ben Foakes is expected to miss out following his injury-hit season and James Bracey has drifted down the pecking order following a tough series against New Zealand.

Moeen Ali's retirement leaves the way clear for Jack Leach and Dom Bess to take up two spinning places, though Parkinson and youngster Jack Carson may end up with the Lions too.

Veteran seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad should head up the seam ranks for what may well be their Ashes swansong, with support from the likes of Woakes, Wood and Ollie Robinson.

All-rounder Sam Curran has been forced to pull out of the Indian Premier League and the T20 World Cup with a lower back injury and will need to be assessed.

Craig Overton and Saqib Mahmood were also in the Test squad at the end of the summer but could be fighting for one spot, with the latter hoping to become the only uncapped player to make the cut.

© PAA 2021

NSW has tipped over 90 per cent first-dose COVID-19 vaccination coverage as the state's fully vaccinated residents prepare for the final day of a 15-week lockdown.

The state on Friday hit 90.14 per cent first-dose coverage among those aged 16 and over, with 72.75 per cent fully jabbed.

Having surpassed the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination milestone earlier this week, stay-at-home orders will cease for NSW's fully vaccinated population from Monday.

Greater Sydney was locked down on June 25 due to the current Delta strain outbreak - more than 15 weeks ago.

Premier Dominic Perrottet on Saturday flagged the conclusion of lockdown would likely cause an increase in COVID-19 transmission and urged people to proceed safely.

However, he was confident NSW's high rates of vaccination would ensure hospitalisation rates remain manageable, despite complaints the accelerated opening could strain resources.

NSW reported 580 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and 11 deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday.

"We believe that our conservative approach here ensures we keep people safe but importantly gets people back into work as quickly as possible," Mr Perrottet told reporters.

"This journey is not over ... there is a long way to go."

Gyms, cafes, restaurants, pools, shops, hairdressers and beauticians will reopen from Monday and people will be allowed to venture more than five kilometres from their home.

Indoor and outdoor gatherings will also be permitted, with caps increased earlier this week to 10 and 30 people respectively.

Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant waved away questions she was not involved in the changes to the state's roadmap, saying she briefed the new premier for close to two hours.

Dr Chant also said every increment above 90 per cent vaccination coverage was "just going to be a bit harder", and challenged NSW to match the ACT record of 96 per cent.

She also confirmed authorities were investigating the source of a new Delta virus variant uncovered in NSW on Friday.

It's been linked back to a person who returned from overseas, indicating a hotel quarantine leak may be at fault.

© AAP 2021