Calls for lockdown rules to be simplified across Greater Sydney

Most Sydney residents desperately want to do the right thing when it comes to covid rules, but many are running into a huge issue.

There are calls for lockdown rules to be simplified and for language barriers to be addressed across Greater Sydney, as the Covid-19 outbreak continues to grow.

In a press conference on Sunday, MPs slammed the frequently changing Covid-19 regulations as “confusing”, and as particularly difficult to understand for those who don’t have English as their first language.

The NSW government has previously said language issues and mistrust about government and police in migrant communities is one of the problems behind Sydney’s growing outbreak.

MP Michelle Rowland, shadow minister for communications and member for Greenway, which includes areas such as Blacktown and Prospect, said the language barrier is a problem that needs to be dealt with urgently in order to ensure compliance with the rules.

“People want to do the right thing,” Ms Rowland said. “Noone wants to be in lockdown …

“I represent an electorate where nearly half the population speaks a language other than English at home and when I look up some of the information on publicly available websites it’s actually easier to find specific information in Icelandic than in Tamil.

“This should not be happening. We need to ensure that everyone in our community understands the rules and can access information as readily as possible.

“We need to ensure that every one in our community understands the rules.”

Related: Where Covid-19 is spreading the most

The rules around wearing masks in cars have been clarified today. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Also speaking to the media on Sunday was Labor member for McMahon, Chris Bowen, who urged the government to simplify the rules.

“The rules are complicated,” he said. “At one point, now I’ve got four local government areas that I represent and I have three sets of rules to try to explain to people, and even I would find it confusing.

“There are different rules that have come in about mask wearing that have now been clarified, that you don’t have to wear a mask when alone in a car or when you’re strenuously exercising.

Mr Bowen said it’s a matter of common sense that the rules should be clear for Sydney residents.

“So let’s make the rules as simple as possible,” Mr Bowen said.

“Everybody wants to do the right thing. Ninety-nine per cent of people want to do the right thing, regardless of where they live, regardless of their background. We all want to get through this as quickly as possible. The simpler the rules are, the more consistent they are, the easier it is for people to comply with them.”

Chris Bowen called for the lockdown rules to be simplified. Picture: Chris Bowen

Mr Bowen also posted on his Facebook page today: “There is a lot of confusion around about the new mask wearing rules in Fairfield, Cumberland, Blacktown and the other declared LGA’s. And fair enough, because it’s confusing!

“Under the new rules, masks must be worn whenever you leave the house (including walking your dogs at 6.30 on a cold morning, when you aren’t going to run into anyone else!).

“But there exemptions for strenuous exercise (running and cycling etc). (Although these aren’t clear on the NSW Government website, they have been announced).”

People wearing face masks line up outside a butcher store along the Bankstown City Plaza district, in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi