New restrictions were introduced for all of regional NSW on Saturday (14 August) to protect people from the evolving COVID-19 outbreak.
NSW Health said stay-at-home orders applied to everyone who lived in regional NSW, following updated advice from NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant.
“This means the whole of New South Wales will be under stay-at-home restrictions,” NSW Health said.
“This new order will replace any existing orders in regional NSW,” it said.
“Everyone must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave.”
NSW Health said regional residents could not have visitors in their home from outside their household, including family and friends.
The Agency said people could still have one visitor at a time to fulfil carers’ responsibilities, provide care or assistance, or for compassionate reasons, including where two people were in a relationship but did not live together.
“All hospitality venues must be closed to the public, including pubs, restaurants and cafes, except for takeaway,” it said.
“Service stations, banks, post offices, laundromats and drycleaners can remain open.”
NSW Health said retail premises were required to close except supermarkets and grocery shops; shops that predominantly sold food or drinks, excluding restaurants and cafes; chemists and pharmacies; kiosks; shops that predominantly sold office supplies, pet supplies, newspapers, magazines and stationery, alcohol, maternity and baby supplies, medical or pharmaceutical supplies; food and drink premises, but only to sell takeaway; cellar door premises, but only to sell takeaway; hardware and building supplies; landscaping material supplies; rural supplies; timber yards; garden centres and plant nurseries; vehicle hire premises; and shops that predominantly carried out mobile phone repairs.
It said anyone who left their home must carry a mask with them at all times and employers across NSW must require their employees to work from home unless it was not reasonably practicable.
“They (masks) must be worn when working outdoors, by all school staff, by all people in outdoor markets, outdoor shopping strips and in outdoor queues waiting for products such as coffee and food,” it said.
Further information on COVID-19 rules and restrictions can be accessed at this PS News link.
