This is the latest COVID-19 information for people who live in New South Wales. Things do keep changing with COVID-19 and it is important to keep up to date so that you can stay safe.

If you would like to talk to someone about COVID-19 please call the Disability Information Helpline - 1800 643 787. Our Information Officers can help you find information for where you live and, for what you need. It is open Monday to Friday - 8 am to 8 pm. 

We will keep this article up to date, so do check back for the latest information. 

Current information as at 12 January 2021

Mandatory Face Coverings

On 2 January the Minister signed the Public Health (COVID-19 Mandatory Face Coverings) Order 2021. The Order mandates the wearing of masks in certain indoor premises:

• retail or business premises that provide goods or services to the public, including:
  • supermarkets,
  • shopping centres (but not an indoor recreation facility in a shopping centre),
  • bank branches and post offices,
  • hairdressing salons, nail salons, beauty salons, tanning salons, waxing salons, spas, tattoo parlours, massage parlours, and
  • betting agencies and gaming lounges
• entertainment facilities (such as theatres, cinemas and concert halls)
• any part of a premises licensed under the Liquor Act 2007 that is used primarily for gaming. Licensed premises include pubs, registered clubs and casinos
• places of public worship and any other premises on which a religious service is being held
• residential aged care facilities (but not the residents of the facility)
• at a public transport waiting area (e.g. a bus stop or train platform), or travelling on public transport including a train, bus, light rail or ferry, or taxi, or a ride share service.

Full details of the Mandatory Face Coverings orders can be found here NSW Health

Exemptions 

An exemption is in place concerning places of public worship in Greater Sydney being used for wedding services whereby, you do not need to wear a mask at a wedding service if you are the persons being married or the persons “necessary for the conduct of, or assisting in the conduct of” the wedding service.

Gathering and Movement

• People cannot allow more than 5 visitors per day at their residence, including children. The visitor limit applies to weddings, funerals, memorial services (or a gathering after these services) held at a place of residence. The visitor limit does not apply in certain circumstances including where someone is engaged in work or providing care and assistance and for a gathering for an auction or viewing of the property.
• Weddings, funerals, and memorial services (or a gathering after these services) are restricted to 100 persons, subject to the 4 square metre rule (for indoor areas) and the 2 square metre rule (or outdoor areas).
• Outdoor public gatherings are restricted to 30 people.
• Gym classes and activities are restricted to 30 persons.

Air Transportation Quarantine

There is an amendment to the Public Health (COVID-19 Mandatory Face Coverings) Amendment (No.2) Order 2021 made by the Minister on 9 January, commencing at the beginning of Tuesday 12 January 2021 and provides for mandatory mask wearing on commercial aircraft and in NSW airports. The Order extends the obligation to wear a fitted face covering to a person who is:

• in an indoor areas of NSW airports, including passenger waiting areas;
• on a domestic commercial aircraft that lands or takes off from a NSW Airport including while flying in NSW airspace.

The Order provides exemptions for flight crew and airport workers such as an engineer or other technical staff, and a range of other activities in connection with an aircraft, where they are not interacting directly with passengers.

A full report of this information is available at NSW Health

Current information as at Monday 11 January 2021

The NSW Government has put in place a new Public Health (COVID-19 Interstate Hotspots) Order 2021 to ensure anyone who visits NSW from the Greater Brisbane area, or who has arrived in NSW from this area in recent days, must follow similar 'stay at home' rules as those being put in place by the Queensland Government.

Under the Order, anyone entering NSW by any mode of transport from the City of Brisbane, City of Ipswich, Lockyer Valley Region, Logan City, Moreton Bay Region, Redland City, Scenic Rim Region, and Somerset Region must go directly to their home or place of accommodation in NSW and remain there until 6 pm on Monday 11 January 2021.

The Order applies to anyone who has arrived in NSW from those areas since 12.01 am on 2 January 2021. People who have arrived in NSW after transiting through Brisbane Airport will not be subject to the requirements of the Order, provided they have not been in the listed areas.

A full report of this information is available at NSW Health 

Restrictions for Northern Beaches (northern area)

From the beginning of Sunday 10 January 2021, all Northern Beaches residents are to follow the restrictions for Greater Sydney.

How to Stay Safe

• Practice social distancing if you are going out
• Wash your hands regularly
• Cough into your sleeve or elbow
• Take extra care around vulnerable people, such as the elderly or those who are unwell
• If you feel unwell, stay home (except to go our for testing or urgent health needs)

Face Masks

• In Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong areas, it is mandatory to wear a face mask indoors.
• From Tuesday 12 January 2021, face masks must be worn indoors at all NSW airports and on domestic commercial flights into or out of NSW, including when the flight is landing at or taking off from the airport

NDIS 

• Participants can recover the costs to purchase PPE items using their NDIS funds.
• There are also temporary measures for providers in New South Wales, to directly invoice the NDIA for PPE used when delivering face-to-face services.

Go to NDIS COVID-19 has more details. 

The Latest NSW Health Advice on Wearing Face Masks - COVID-19

Testing

If you have any of these symptoms you should get tested.

• fever (37.5° or higher)
• cough
• sore/scratchy throat
• shortness of breath
• loss of smell or
• loss of taste.

There are many places to get tested, NSW Health has a full list.  New places, such as mobile or 'pop up' testing units do get added so check before you go.
We explain more about testing in COVID-19 testing for people with a disability.

Going Out and Visiting People 

There are many rules about going out, and what is open. Most places have a limit on how many people can be there at one time. Plus they need to have a COVID Safe Plan. Places also need to take people's details in case there is an outbreak and they need to contact you.

NSW Health has a list of all the current rules.

For visiting people in nursing homes, hospitals or group homes, there will be extra rules. Check before you go.

When going out, plan how you will get there safely, if you need to wear a mask and if you need to book before you go. It is also a good idea to bring your own hand sanitiser if you can.

Travel 

 COVID Safe Travel Tips

Border Closures

The NSW-Victoria Border 

From 5:59 pm on 11 January, you will need to apply for a permit to enter Victoria from anywhere in Australia. The permit application system will be available shortly.

The permit system is based on a traffic light system which allows for areas across Australia to be designated as green, orange or red according to their risk.

The permit system is for both travellers to Victoria and residents of Victoria returning home from interstate travel.

For more information visit the Victorian Travel Permit System page.

The NSW-Queensland Border

What’s changed from 1am AEST 21 December 2020

• The Queensland border is closed to anyone who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days or since the hotspot was declared (whichever is shorter). Currently, specific parts of New South Wales are hotspots.
• Anyone who has been overseas in the last 14 days must follow the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction.
• Anyone travelling to Queensland who has been in NSW at any time since 1am Friday 11 December must complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass before they enter Queensland.

Government websites: other states and territories

Find out the rules that apply for travel to and from other states and territories.

Education  

Schools are open in NSW, but with extra measures in place to keep everyone safe. 

From Wednesday, August 19 NSW Health requires schools to:​

• exclude students and staff with even mild symptoms of COVID-19
• encourage immediate testing for any symptomatic children or staff
• prohibit return to school for anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 until a negative COVID test result has been reported
• ensure that adults maintain physical distancing at all times

Information about COVID-19 (coronavirus) and NSW schools, childcare centres, tertiary education and other training organisations here.

School graduations can now go ahead.

Easy to understand resources from NSW Health 

These include Easy Read Information and videos. 

Resources in community languages here

More Information

Is there something else you would like to know? Ask us! Call Disability Information Helpline - 1800 643 787

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