NSW lockdown rules: New Covid restrictions for eight Sydney LGAs

Residents of eight hotspot areas in Sydney are subject to tough new restrictions, including mandatory mask-wearing outdoors and a 5km travel limit. SEE THE FULL DETAILS BELOW.

Residents of eight Sydney hotspot areas will only be allowed to travel within 5km of their home and must wear masks outdoors as part of a raft of new restrictions announced as Covid-19 cases hit a record high.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the tough new measures after NSW recorded its worst day since the pandemic began, with 239 new Covid-19 cases and 70 infectious in the community.

The new rules will come into force from 12.01am on Friday, with police warning they will be clamping down on rule-breakers in the hotspot areas.

Here’s a breakdown of the new rules and what they mean for you.

Who is impacted?

Residents in the Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown, Cumberland, Parramatta, Campbelltown and Georges River LGAs will be subject to the tough new measures.

The previously announced rules will apply to the rest of Greater Sydney, however, Ms Berejiklian warned that other areas could be impacted if cases spread.

“There could be more local government areas that come into those areas of concern or come out depending on case numbers,” she said.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says eight LGA residents will now have to wear masks outdoors and can only move within 5km of home. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

What are the new restrictions?

People in the eight LGAs must stay within 5km of their home for grocery shopping and exercise except in exceptional circumstances.

Ms Berejiklian said the new rules will mean that all permitted reasons to leave the house, including people’s singles bubble, must be within a 5km range of them.

“Unless there are exceptional circumstances, you have to make sure you move within a 5km radius of your home. It doesn’t matter whether it’s for shopping. It doesn’t matter whether it’s for other exercising that you’re allowed to leave the house from. You can’t move beyond a 5km radius and that includes singles bubbles,” she said.

Existing restrictions, including only leaving the house for essential reasons and staying within 10km, apply for the rest of Sydney. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

What are the new mask rules?

People within the hotspot areas must wear a mask “at all times,” including when they are exercising or moving outdoors, Ms Berejiklian said.

So whether you’re exercising, taking out the rubbish or even driving, you must mask-up as soon as you leave your home.

“If you step foot outside your household, you need to wear a mask at all times. It doesn’t matter where it is,” she said.

The rules come as the fine for not wearing masks is increased from $200 to $500.

What about businesses?

The Premier also announced that police will be given extraordinary powers to shut down businesses caught flouting the health orders.

“We’re noticing too much of a lack of complaints from businesses or from premises. If that’s the case, police will be given the power to close down those premise,” she said.

Police have warned that thousands will be out patrolling the streets and enforcing the new rules.

What if my supermarket is outside the 5km radius?

People can leave the 5km radius in “extraordinary circumstances” so people whose shopping centre is not reasonably available locally can move outside this radius.

Remember that only one person is allowed to leave the house to buy groceries.

Can I move outside the 5km radius for medical reasons?

If you are getting a Covid-19 swab or vaccination or attending a medical appointment, you can move outside the 5km radius.

What are the existing rules for these Sydney LGAs from July 28?

People in the eight LGAs cannot leave their areas for work unless they are in the list of authorised workers.

Construction has also been halted in these hotspot areas while essential workers in certain LGAs must get tested for the virus every three days to leave the area for work.

What are the rules outside the eight Sydney LGAs?

Residents in the rest of Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour must limit their shopping to within their Local Government Area (LGA) or 10km from home, unless the item is not available locally.

People are also allowed out for exercise, but only within 10km and with one other person who can be from a different household.

Construction in non-occupied settings outside the LGAs of concern will re-open.

A singles bubble has been introduced which is limited to 10km for the rest of Sydney.