NSW COVID Update – August 20 2021
After today’s COVID media statement in NSW, COVID rules and regulations in the State achieved a whole new level of confusion. However, several new and significant changes were announced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian. These come into force from 12.01 am Monday, August 23, 2021.
ACWA provides the following summary of changes in NSW however, until the Health Minister’s directions are published, we cannot give an update on business restrictions. This said, given today’s announcement included the allocation of additional powers for law enforcement, it would be foolish to think conditions for businesses will be more favourable in the short-term
The best rundown of changes ACWA has been able to find is on the NSW Government Health website here https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20210820_02.aspx
We provide the following dot points as a quick and dirty summary.
All of NSW
From 12.01 am on Monday, August 23
- Everyone across NSW must wear a mask outside of their homes, except for when exercising.
- This rule will be in place for rural and regional NSW until at least August 28.
Greater Sydney
From 12.01 am on Monday, August 23
- Greater Sydney’s lockdown will be extended until the end of September.
- Shellharbour and the Central Coast area have been removed Greater Sydney to become rural areas.
- The following people traveling from Greater Sydney to regional NSW require a permit:
- anyone from Greater Sydney (including authorised workers from the LGAs of concern) who needs to travel more than 50km from Greater Sydney for work purposes, noting the existing requirement for such workers to have had a COVID test in the previous seven days.
- People travelling to a second home outside Greater Sydney. This is now only allowed if you are using the home for work accommodation or requires urgent maintenance and repairs (if so, only one person may travel there).
- Those who are inspecting a potential new residence (only if they have a genuine intention to relocate as soon as practicable (no investment properties).
- Those who are permanently relocating.
Greater Sydney Local Government Areas of Concern
From 12.01 am on Monday, August 23
- A curfew has been introduced in 12 local government areas. In these areas, you may not leave your home between 9 pm and 5 am
- Bayside
- Blacktown
- Burwood
- Campbelltown
- Canterbury-Bankstown
- Cumberland
- Fairfield
- Georges River
- Liverpool
- Parramatta
- Strathfield
- and some suburbs of Penrith
- The curfew will not apply for authorised workers, emergencies or medical care. A list of Authorised Workers can be found here https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/authorised-workers
- Authorised workers who work outside their LGA of concern can only work if rapid antigen testing is implemented at their work-site or they have had their first vaccination dose by August 30. (At this time ACWA has been unable to find the Permit online)
- From Saturday August 28, authorised workers from the LGAs of concern must carry a permit from Service NSW declaring that they are an authorised worker
- From August 28, anyone entering an LGA of concern to work must carry a worker permit issued by Service NSW.
- From Monday, workers in some areas will no longer need to be tested for COVID-19 19 in the previous 72 hours to work outside their LGA. The areas are:
- Canterbury-Bankstown
- Cumberland and
- Fairfield
Regional and Rural NSW
- Lockdown will end on August 28; however, this may be extended depending on case numbers.
- An announcement on extending lockdown will be made next week.
- Shellharbour and the Central Coast have been added to Regional and Rural NSW
