NSW Health has issued Public Health Orders to protect the community and limit the spread of COVID-19. This page explains the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 (the Order).
The terms ‘disability facility’ or ‘aged care facility’ are not defined in the Order. In the absence of a definition, it has its ordinary meaning.
You may only leave your place of residence (such as a group or private home) if you have a reasonable excuse. A reasonable excuse includes:
Do not participate in a gathering in a public place of more than 2 people. Exceptions to this include:
A gathering at a disability or aged care facility that is necessary for the normal business of the facility is exempt from:
See Schedule 2 of the Order for other exempted gatherings.
The Order has closed certain premises to the public, such as community facilities. However, the Order does not prevent the use of premises to provide services to assist vulnerable members of the community.
Disability support providers must take steps to prevent, control and manage the individual and public health risks associated with COVID-19 as they deliver supports to people with disability through this time:
The Orders do not prevent the use of premises to provide a service to assist vulnerable people, for example, day activities that assist vulnerable people.
A gathering for the purpose of providing care or assistance to a vulnerable person is exempt from the 2 person gathering rule. The 2 person gathering rule is also only for a public place so would not prevent gatherings in disability facilities.
Similarly, a gathering at a disability facility that is necessary for the normal business of the facility is also exempt from the 2 person gathering rule (and the 500 and 100 person rule and 4 square metre rule).
