Coronavirus: New laws passed by parliament, police have more powers
Police have more powers and supermarkets can remain open longer under new laws passed by the State Government. It comes as further restrictions are announced closing beauty salons and limiting funerals to 10 people.
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Twenty new amendments have been passed by the State Government in its response to containing COVID-19 including giving police more powers.
The emergency measures were passed in NSW Parliament last night to include allowing police to take action on people breaking public health orders.
One of the more controversial new moves is allowing the “potential conditional release” of vulnerable, low-risk offenders if the COVID-19 threat increases, while proposed developments designed to protect community health can go ahead without going through the normal approval process.
Changes have also been made to long service leave requirements, including waiving the one-month notice period for taking leave and allowing employees to take the leave in shorter blocks.
The move comes as further shutdown measures have been announced by the Federal Government this morning including closures of beauty salons, amusement parks, indoor playgrounds, real estate open homes, tattoo parlours, health clubs and shopping centre food courts.
Hairdressers can operate, however only for 30 minutes per customer, while schools remain open for “essential workers”.
Funerals will be limited to just 10 people and community facilities including PCYCs, libraries, swimming pools, galleries, museums historic sites and sporting based activities are also banned. These bans come in to effect from midnight tonight.
Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Terrigal Adam Crouch said in the current climate, government and business practices had to change through the new laws.
“COVID-19 is a once-in-a-century crisis and these vital changes are needed to stop the spread and save lives,” Mr Crouch said.
“There are a total of 20 amendments that provide more powers for police, more flexibility in the health system, reduced restrictions for supermarket operations and relaxed planning laws.”
Emergency changes include:
■ Empowering police to take immediate action on suspected breaches of COVID-19 public health orders
■ More flexibility for NSW Health to use private health facilities when urgently required
■ Reducing the number of people required to physically attend court
■ Allowing potential conditional release of vulnerable, low-risk offenders if the COVID-19 threat increases
■ Changes to planning laws to allow any development that protects community health, welfare and safety to proceed without normal approvals
■ Allowing supermarkets to stock their shelves around the clock and remain open throughout the Easter long weekend and Anzac Day
■ Allowing councils to hold meetings electronically
■ Extending the renewal date of Working With Children Check (WWCC) clearances that are due to expire in the next six months.