Curfews, more mask rules, and limits to exercising — the NSW government has introduced a raft of new restrictions as the state's COVID-19 outbreak continues to balloon.
Most of the new rules will come into effect at 12:01am on Monday, August 23.
The lockdown affecting Greater Sydney, which was due to end on August 28, has also been extended to September 30 and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian today told everyone to "bunker down".
Police have also been given greater powers to lock down apartment blocks at the centre of COVID-19 outbreaks, and order people to isolate for 14 days if they break any rules.
Here's everything you need to know.
Curfew introduced in parts of Sydney
Over the course of this Delta outbreak, authorities have identified 12 Sydney local government areas (LGAs) "of concern".
They're of concern because of elevated levels of COVID-19 transmission, and have been subjected to stricter rules than other parts of the city.
From 12:01am on Monday, August 23, residents in the 12 LGAs will not be able to leave their homes between 9:00pm and 5:00am.
A refresher: the 12 LGAs are Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield and some suburbs in Penrith.
The only reasons people will be allowed outside their homes after 9:00pm will be if they're an authorised worker, if there's an emergency or to seek medical treatment.
A list of who qualifies as an authorised worker can be found here.
Ms Berejiklian said police would be looking out for people on the roads after curfew, who could be fined.
"It is time for all of us to bunker down and take this as seriously as we can," she said.
Mask mandatory outdoors and exercise limits
AAP: Dan Himbrechts
)From 12:01am Monday and right across NSW, every time you leave your home, you must wear a face mask.
Previously, only people in the LGAs of concern had to wear masks outside.
Under the new rules, the only time you can be outside without wearing a mask is if you are exercising.
If you live in an LGA of concern, you will only be permitted to exercise outside for one hour per day.
However, in other parts of Sydney, and in regional areas, there are no time limits on exercise.
Click and collect expanded
If you are in an LGA of concern, several retail premises will be allowed only to offer click-and-collect services from 12:01am Monday.
They are shops that sell:
- Garden supplies and plants
- Office supplies
- Hardware and building supplies
- Landscaping material supplies
- Rural supplies
- Pet supplies
However, the NSW government says tradespeople will still be allowed to physically enter these stores to shop.
Health and childcare worker vaccine mandate
Childcare and disability care employees who live or work in the LGAs of concern will have 10 days to get their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, if they want to keep working.
Authorised workers who live in an LGA of concern and need to leave it for work are only permitted to do so if their employer has implemented rapid antigen testing, or they have had their first vaccination dose by August 30.
Rapid antigen tests detect COVID-19 by reacting to proteins on the surface of the virus, called antigens.
A sample is taken by swabbing the nose and throat and a result is shown in about 15 to 20 minutes.
From Saturday, August 28, authorised workers from the LGAs of concern are required to carry a permit from Service NSW declaring they are an authorised worker and cannot work from home.
From the same day, anyone entering an LGA of concern for work must carry a worker permit issued by Service NSW.
Increased police powers
AAP: Bianca De Marchi
)NSW Police are being given new powers to enforce the lockdown.
Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said officers would be able to lock down apartment blocks and residential premises that were infected with COVID-19.
He said this would change the amount of time it took to shut down premises and would stop people "escaping".
Police will also be given the authority to direct people who have been issued an infringement notice to go home, and order people who receive the $1,000 fine for breaching public health orders to isolate for 14 days.
This week, police have issued more than 3,500 fines, which Commissioner Fuller said was disappointing.
"There are people from affected local government areas running the risk of spreading the virus into other LGAs. We do not want LGAs to go from 12 to 13," he said.
Permit to leave Sydney
A new permit system for anyone wanting to leave Greater Sydney and travel to a regional area will be introduced from 12:01am Saturday, August 21.
Under the updated system, people travelling from Greater Sydney to regional NSW will need a permit:
- To travel more than 50km from Greater Sydney for work purposes (noting the existing requirement for them to have had a COVID-19 test in the previous seven days)
- To travel to a second home outside Greater Sydney. This is now only allowed if you are using the home for work accommodation or if the home requires urgent maintenance and repairs (if so, only one person may travel there)
- To inspect a potential new residence, but only if the person has a genuine intention to relocate as soon as practicable (no investment properties)
- To relocate permanently
Permit applications can be made on the Service NSW website.
All of regional NSW is in a strict COVID-19 lockdown until 12:01am on August 28.
While the Central Coast and Shellharbour had been previously considered part of Greater Sydney for the purpose of lockdowns, they are now considered regional areas.
Loading form...
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTA4LTIwL25zdy1uZXctY292aWQtcmVzdHJpY3Rpb25zLWFuZC1sb2NrZG93bi1leHBsYWluZWQvMTAwMzkzMjA00gEoaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAuYWJjLm5ldC5hdS9hcnRpY2xlLzEwMDM5MzIwNA?oc=5
2021-08-20 03:46:35Z
52781811388362
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Here are the new NSW COVID restrictions including a Sydney curfew, work permits and exercise limits - ABC News"
Post a Comment