NSW lockdown extended: New rules and restrictions explained

Sydneysiders will be locked down for another four weeks as Covid cases continue to soar. These are all the rules residents need to know.

Sydney’s lockdown will be extended for another four weeks as Covid-19 case numbers show no signs of coming down, until August 28.

This means Sydneysiders will be subject to stay-at-home orders until at least the end of August as the city grapples with an escalating outbreak that has now spread to the Central Coast.

There are now eight LGAs in greater Sydney considered ‘high risk’ for Covid-19.

A swath of rules are in place for residents while some will be lifted, including a singles bubble, the resumption of construction in some areas and the allowing of Year 12 students to return to the classroom on August 16.

Liverpool Hospital is on high alert after patients and staff tested positive for Covid-19. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

Here’s what you can and can’t do:

- The NSW Premier revealed there will be a ‘singles bubble’ in place for the duration of lockdown, amid concerns about the mental health of those living alone.

“If you are living by yourself, you’re allowed to nominate one person who can visit you ... but it has to be the same person and it has to be someone outside those eight LGAs (where residents cannot leave)” she said.

Those outside the eight areas must nominate a person who is also outside of the areas.

- Three new LGAS were added to Sydney’s list of high-risk areas. In addition to Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Blacktown and Cumberland, now Parramatta, Campbelltown and Georges River LGAs are high risk.

Residents of the now-eight LGAs are not allowed to leave the area unless they are deemed authorised workers or health and aged care workers.

- Lockdown zone shopping rules have been tightened. No one can go shopping more than 10km away from their local area and you can only go for essential items.

- The ban on non-occupied construction will be eased from Saturday.

However tradies living in Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Blacktown and Cumberland, Parramatta, Campbelltown and Georges River local government areas will still be banned from leaving the council boundaries.

- Contactless tradies will also be allowed to work outside those eight LGAs.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said: “Construction and non-occupied construction sectors ... can return to site tomorrow (Thursday) onwards in relation to preparation work.

“These are basic works, getting up machinery done, maintenance done, preparing your sites for a very safe site. OHS issues, also receiving deliveries.”

Nurses perform swabs at the Covid testing clinic at Fairfield Showground. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

- Year 12 students can return to school from Monday, August 16.

That is because NSW Health will vaccinate students in the eight high-risk LGAs using redirected supplies from regional NSW.

“Year 12 students in the eight high-risk local government areas will be subject to a Pfizer vaccination program,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Those vaccines will be taken from regional areas to ensure the Year 12 students can get the vaccines.”

- NSW Health will be looking into rapid antigen testing for Year 12 students and construction workers.

- More financial support to people affected economically by Covid-19.

“We will be expanding our Job Saver program to ensure that businesses are eligible to access those weekly payments,” NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said.

“We currently have a turnover threshold of $50 million. It will be expanded from this week, backdated to Monday to $250 million.”

- Changes to the three-day testing rule for people in the Fairfield local government area — only aged care and health care workers need to be tested every three days.

People in Canterbury- Bankstown area who are essential workers need to be tested every three days.