Coronavirus NSW: What you can and cannot do during restrictions
Can you get your eyebrows waxed? How many visitors can share houses have? Can you visit family interstate? COVID-19 restrictions are gradually easing in NSW, here’s what you can and can’t do.
NSW
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As NSW continues to flatten the curve, some social distancing and economic restrictions are being gradually eased.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more people were beginning to return to workplaces, and a significant boost to retail was expected by the end of May.
Businesses have been urged to make workplaces coronavirus-safe in preparation for a major economic restart, with the National Cabinet setting a July target to reignite business and industry.
But with the easing of restrictions and greater activity, comes an increase risk of case numbers climbing and Ms Berejiklian urged residents to maintain social distancing to reduce outbreaks.
As changes come into effect each day, here’s what you can and can’t do in NSW currently:
EXERCISE & RECREATION
Can people go to the beach?
Yes. But there are different rules for certain locations, so check with your council.
You can swim and surf but you cannot sit, sunbathe or linger on any beach.
Access to Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama beaches is permitted weekdays between 7am- 5pm, for swimming and surfing only.
Coogee, Clovelly and Maroubra beaches are open daily 7am-5pm for activities including swimming and soft-sand running.
Public ocean pools remain closed.
Boats and fishing
If you go out, social distancing rules apply – at the boat ramp and on your boat.
You should only be on your boat with no more than one other person; or with family who live in the same household as you.
You can also go kayaking/sailing/paddling for exercise and fishing.
TRAVEL
There is no set travel limit in terms of kilometres in NSW but police will use discretion about what is deemed reasonable.
Going camping or for a holiday is not an acceptable reason to travel.
Work, school, shopping for essentials, medical care, shared child care arrangements, and social visits are permitted but you must adhere to gathering rules (see below).
You can also leave home to provide care or assistance, and attend essential services.
You can move to a new place of residence, or between your different places of residence.
Can I travel interstate?
NSW doesn’t have any border restrictions but you will be subject to border rules of other states. Only essential travel for work is permitted between NSW and Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia or the Northern Territory.
Overseas travel?
Reopening of Australia’s international borders is still a long way off. Direct flights to and from New Zealand are under consideration. Qantas has extended the suspension of domestic and trans-Tasman flights to the end of June, and international flights until the end of July
SOCIAL GATHERINGS
Visiting other households, including grandma and grandad?
Groups of two adults — and their children if they have any — are able to visit other households. Social distancing measures should be followed including staying 1.5m apart.
What about share houses?
The rules are two visitors per household, not two visitors per resident.
Visiting elderly in aged care?
Elderly people in care are allowed to receive up to two visitors a day.
The visits must be for a short duration and take place in the residents’ room, not a common area. Young children are not permitted into aged care homes at this time.
Meet other people outside of the home?
Two people may meet outside their home only for the purpose of exercise. Outdoor gym equipment in public places, playgrounds or skate parks are still off limits.
Go for a picnic?
No. In NSW people are not allowed to leave the home to gather in another location, including for a picnic.
Attend a wedding or funeral?
Yes, you can attend a wedding (limited to a total of 5 people) or funeral (limited to a total of 10 people, excluding the person/s necessary to conduct the funeral e.g. funeral director)
Exceptions
Exceptions include at workplaces, moving home or business, attending legal appointments or providing emergency assistance. Visit NSW Health for more details.
EDUCATION
Can children go to school?
NSW students will start attending school in stages starting from May 11.
Children of essential workers, which the federal government defines as effectively any parent with a job, and vulnerable children without access to sufficient resources, are able to attend school where it is not possible from them to undertake distance learning.
What’s happening with the HSC?
This year’s HSC assessment conditions have changed.
You can find all the details in our 2020 HSC guide.
Can children go to daycare?
Yes, if the centre is open children can still attend.
Can students go to Uni, TAFE or college?
Most higher education providers have shifted partially or entirely online, however there is no recommendation forcing them to close. Students may attend if the facility is open.
WORK
Can people go to their place of work?
Yes, if people cannot do their job from home. Examples include:
– Construction sites
– Factories
– Farms
– Mines
– Cafes (serving takeaway only).
The NSW Government is expecting more people to begin returning to work in May.
Businesses must have protocols in place to protect staff. No meetings in small rooms, limiting interstate travel and staggered start times will be the new normal.
PERSONAL SERVICES
Yes, you can go to a hairdresser or barber but the four-square metre rule applies within the premises and personal contact with the customer should be minimised.
Spas and nail, beauty, waxing and tanning salons can only sell goods and gift vouchers including for services redeemable at a later date.
Tattoo parlours remain closed.
Any business providing mobile or at-home services must comply with all relevant laws and social distancing should be followed when visiting homes.
RETAIL
You may leave your house to shop for food or other goods and services.
More retailers are beginning to open their doors, but social distancing restrictions remain.
Shops must allow at least four-square metres of space for each person on the premises, or limit numbers inside the store.
You must comply with the gatherings rule and only travel to and enter the store with one other person or with members of your household
Supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, hairdressers, petrol stations, postal and freight services, bottle shops, newsagents are open.
Restaurants are restricted to takeaway and delivery but food markets are open.
REAL ESTATE
Traditional property inspections and on-site auctions will be allowed from next weekend after a six-week limited shutdown due to COVID-19.
YOU CAN ALSO
It is also acceptable to leave the house to:
– shop for food or other goods and services. This includes for pets and vulnerable people.
– Volunteering for a charity, such as Foodbanks or homeless shelters.
– avoid injury or illness or escape a risk of harm.
– deal with emergencies or on compassionate grounds.
– provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person.
– donate blood.
– undertake legal obligations.
– access social services, employment services, services provided to victims, domestic violence services, and mental health services.
– continue existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children for children who do not live in the same household as their parents or one of their parents.
– if you are a priest, minister of religion or member of a religious order, go to a place of worship or to provide pastoral care.
PENALTY FOR BREACHING ORDERS IN NSW
Breach of orders made under the Public Health Act 2010 is a criminal offence and attracts heavy penalties.
In the case of an individual, the maximum penalty is $11,000, or imprisonment for 6 months, or both and a further $5500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues.
The NSW Police may also issue on-the-spot fines of $1000 for an offence.
In the case of any corporation, the maximum penalty is $55,000 and a further $27,500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues.
OTHER STATES
National
- National cabinet will on Friday decide whether to relax some coronavirus measures across the country.
- Businesses that ban people from entry unless they have downloaded the government’s coronavirus contact tracing app may face up to five years in jail and a $63,000 fine under proposed new federal laws.
WA
- up to 10 people can gather for non-contact recreational activities while open homes and display villages are also permitted.
Queensland
- people can now travel 50km from their residence to visit parks, have picnics and jet ski. Shopping for non-essential items is also permitted while cafes and restaurants will open in June at the earliest.
- kindergarten, prep, grade 1 and year 11 and 12 students will return to classrooms full time from May 11 with schools expected to be fully operational by May 25.
Northern Territory
- has relaxed restrictions on parks, golf, fishing and swimming. Restaurants and bars are to reopen with a two-hour limit on May 15 followed later by bans on entertainment venues.
South Australia
- Restrictions on funeral attendance and travel to regional areas will be the first major restrictions to be lifted in South Australia, which has reopened playgrounds and skate parks.
Tasmania
- will ease restrictions on aged care home visits next week and announce its road map towards releasing other social clamps on Friday.
Victoria
- has no plans to lift restrictions until May 11 at the earliest.
– Same rules as NSW