Given the high number of COVID-19 cases in western and south-western Sydney, additional restrictions have been introduced in a bid to limit transmission of the virus’s highly infectious Delta strain, as well as some new allowances.
Under amendments to the Public Health Order effective until 28 August, people living in the eight local government areas (LGAs) of concern – Canterbury-Bankstown,Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown, Cumberland, Parramatta, Campbelltown and Georges River – must limit their shopping and exercise to no more than 5km from home. They must carry proof of their address at all times and show it to police upon request.
Whenever a person is in one of these LGAs, they must also wear a mask whenever outdoors (except when in common property such as the backyard of an apartment block). On-the-spot fines for those who fail to comply with this requirement will increase to $500 for adults (smaller penalties apply for children).
Masks do not have to be worn while travelling in a car alone or with members of your household in a car, or while exercising vigorously.
Commencing Saturday 31 July, the pause on construction will be lifted in Greater Sydney, other than in the eight LGAs.
Construction cannot take place in one of the eight LGAs unless the work is urgently required for limited purposes. Reasons for urgency include:
From 31 July, prescribed work – such as cleaning, repairs, maintenance, alterations and additions to buildings and trade work, including gardening and landscaping – can be carried out in areas of Greater Sydney other than in the eight LGAs of concern.
No more than two workers can visit a residence at the same time (whether or not the workers are carrying out prescribed work or other work) or five persons if they are all outside. No person, other than a worker, can be in the same room when the worker is carrying out the work.
In the eight LGAs of concern, prescribed work can only be carried out if the work is urgently required for health, safety or security of the premises; the work is for the installation, maintenance or repair of an essential utility or telecommunication services or for fire protection and safety or in unoccupied premises, or if the work is cleaning or maintenance necessary for the sale or lease of the property.
From 31 July a single-person ‘bubble’ will commence in which a person who lives with no other adult can nominate a nominated visitor who is permitted to visit the single person at their residence and/or travel with the person for exercise/outdoor recreation.
Both people would be exempt from the current car-pooling prohibition and they do not have to wear a mask when doing so.
If the single person lives in one of the eight LGAs of concern, the nominated visitor must live within 5kms of the single person. If the single person lives in Greater Sydney outside one of the eight LGAs, the nominated visitor must reside in Greater Sydney but cannot live in one of the eight LGAs.
A nominated visitor of a single person must be someone who has not been nominated as another person’s nominated visitor. Single people cannot change who their nominated visitor is.
NSW Health continues to urge everyone throughout NSW, to get tested immediately if they have even the mildest of cold-like symptoms. High rates of testing are critical to detecting transmission and prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the community.
There are more than 410 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic, visit COVID-19 testing clinics, or contact your GP.