Regional NSW residents who work in COVID restricted areas such as Wollongong, Greater Sydney and Blue Mountains will be able to pass between the regions.
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Workers that travel between Greater Sydney, Wollongong, Blue Mountains, Shoalhaven or the Southern Highlands or enter regional NSW for one of the four exemptions will need to comply with the all other stay at home orders whilst in regional NSW.
The four exemptions include:
- Shopping for food or other essential goods and services;
- Medical care or compassionate needs (including to get a COVID-19 vaccine)
- Exercise outdoors in groups of 10 or fewer;
- Essential work, or education, where you cannot work or study from home.
A spokesperson from NSW Health said that essential work was defined as reasonable work that can't be done from home, such as trades people and retail assistants.
"They can travel between regions but they will need to follow the other restrictions which includes wearing a mask, not stopping anywhere else, and going straight home after work," they said.
Residents from regional NSW will be exempt from the stay at home orders if they travel to Greater Sydney for a Covid-19 vaccination.
NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard signed an exemption for residents who enter Greater Sydney for the sole purpose of receiving a Covid-19 vaccination on June 30.
The exemption orders read:
"An exempt person, being a person who enters Greater Sydney for the sole purpose of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination and their carer, from the stay at home requirements provided that:
- The exempt person travels to, and returns from, Greater Sydney by a private vehicle (not public transport), with no other persons other than another exempt person.
- The exempt person travels to, and returns from, Greater Sydney by the most practicable direct route.
- The exempt person does not stay overnight in Greater Sydney
- The exempt person leaves Greater Sydney as soon as reasonably possible after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
- The exempt person takes all reasonably practicable steps to not enter any premises in Greater Sydney other than the place where the exempt person, or another exempt person, is receiving the COVID-19 vaccine."
This comes after Southern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar APM said police were working to ensure the compliance of public health orders announced by NSW Health over the weekend.
"Police will be out in our region, monitoring business and the behaviour or members of the community to assist in compliance with the NSW Health guidelines," he said.
"We have seen a minority of the public who are not heeding the advice and police will hold these people accountable for their actions, if they disregard these guidelines and endanger others.
"The safety of our community is the main priority and police are there to ensure people are making the right decisions in our community and on our roads; we must not become complacent."
The following restrictions now apply to regional areas and will remain in place until midnight on Friday July 9, unless extended or repealed earlier.
- Visitors to households will be limited to five guests - including children;
- Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces, and at organised outdoor events;
- Drinking while standing at indoor venues will not be allowed;
- Singing by audiences at indoor shows or by congregants at indoor places of worship will not be allowed;
- Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs;
- Dancing will be allowed at weddings, but only for the wedding party (no more than 20 people);
- Dance and gym classes limited to 20 per class (masks must be worn);
- The one person per four square metre rule will be re-introduced for all indoor and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals;
- Outdoor seated events will be limited to 50% seated capacity
Anyone with information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of COVID-19-related ministerial directions is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
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Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
