In response to the evolving COVID-19 Delta strain outbreak, the lockdown of Greater Sydney has been extended until the end of September and further restrictions have been introduced targeting local government areas (LGAs) of concern, where the vast majority of new cases have been emerging,
Premier, Gladys Berejiklian said NSW Health and the NSW Police Force had worked together to develop a set of additional COVID-19 controls for the State to reduce transmission and ensure compliance.
Ms Berejiklian said that as of Monday (23 August), residents and businesses in LGAs of concern were subject to a curfew from 9pm to 5am; outdoor exercise was limited to one hour per day; select retailers, which had previously been allowed to operate, were now limited to click and collect only; and all exams and other education or professional development-related activities must be done online, excluding the HSC.
She said additional restrictions were also in place for workplaces and authorised workers from LGAs of concern.
“Childcare workers and disability support workers who live or work in the LGAs of concern must have their first vaccination dose by 30 August,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Authorised workers who work outside their LGA of concern are only permitted to work if rapid antigen testing is implemented at their work site, or they have had their first vaccination dose by 30 August,” she said.
Ms Berejiklian said that from Saturday 28 August, authorised workers from LGAs of concern who worked outside of their LGA would be required to carry a permit from Service NSW and anyone entering an LGA of concern for the purposes of work must carry a worker permit.
In positive news for residents in a few of the LGAs of concern, the Premier said workers from the Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland and Fairfield LGAs no longer had to have been tested for COVID-19 in the previous 72 hours to work outside their LGA.
She said police had been granted additional powers, including to lockdown apartment buildings while NSW Health assessed the COVID-19 risk; declare a residential premises a COVID-risk and require all people to present to police during compliance checks; direct a person issued with an infringement notice to return to their place of residence; and order people found in LGAs of concern without a reasonable excuse to isolate at home for 14 days.
Ms Berejiklian said mask wearing when outside the home was now mandatory across Greater Sydney, except when exercising.
Further information on COVID-19 rules and restrictions can be accessed at this PS News link.
