COVID-19 Update for the Community

NSW Health Update, 7 October:

NSW on the road to reopening

NSW Health Update, 27 September 2021:

ROADMAP RECOVERY REVEALS PATH FORWARD FOR ALL NSW

NSW has a clear path to follow out of the pandemic and lockdowns, with the roadmap for easing restrictions at the 80 per cent double dose target revealing a brighter future for the community.

From the Monday after NSW hits the 80 per cent (aged 16 and over) double dose vaccination target, eased restrictions will allow those who are fully vaccinated to have up to 10 people visit their home, participate in community sport, and access hospitality venues (where drinking while standing up will be allowed indoors). All premises will operate at 1 person per 4sqm indoors, and 1 person per 2sqm outdoors.

Given updated health advice, adjustments have been made to the 70 per cent roadmap. Regional travel will now not be allowed until 80 per cent (fully vaccinated only), and a booking cap has been introduced for hospitality venues of 20 people per booking.

80 PER CENT ROADMAP

Under the Reopening NSW roadmap at 80 per cent, the following freedoms will apply only to fully vaccinated adults (16+) and those with medical exemptions (staff and patrons).

Gatherings in the home and outdoor public spaces
Up to 10 visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under)
Up to 20 people can continue to gather in unregulated outdoor settings
Up to 200 people can attend COVID Safe events
Up to 500 people can attend controlled (ticketed and seated) events
Community sport permitted
Those who are not fully vaccinated may only gather outdoors in groups of 2 people.

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms
Retail stores can operate at one person per 4 sqm (those who are not fully vaccinated will continue to only have access to non-critical retail via click-and-collect)
Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage) can operate with one person per 4 sqm (uncapped)
Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 4 sqm inside and one person per 2 sqm outside, with the requirement to be seated while drinking indoors removed. Group bookings will be limited to 20 people. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only access hospitality settings for takeaway
Gyms and indoor recreation facilities (excluding indoor pools) can operate with one person per 4sqm, capped at 20 people per class.

Major outdoor recreation facilities
Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 4 sqm, capped at 5,000 people (or by exemption).

Entertainment, information and education facilities
Entertainment facilities (including cinemas, theatres, music halls) can operate with one person per 4 sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity (whichever is larger)
Information and education facilities (including libraries, galleries and museums) can operate with one person per 4 sqm
Amusement centres and nightclubs will remain closed.

Working from home
Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home, if reasonably practicable
Employers must require employees who are not fully vaccinated to work from home, if reasonably practicable.

Education
Return to school with COVID Safe measures on 25 October (as previously announced).

Weddings, funerals and places of worship
One person per 4sqm (uncapped) for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing. Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend weddings with a maximum of 5 guests (no receptions)
One person per 4 sqm (uncapped) for funerals. Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend funerals with a maximum of 10 people
Churches and places of worship can continue to open with one person per 4 sqm, with no singing. Those who are not fully vaccinated will be allowed.

Travel
Unrestricted trips between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW will be permitted
Caravan parks and camping grounds can operate, including for those who are not fully vaccinated
Carpooling is permitted. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only carpool with their household.

Masks
Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor premises and settings, except children under 12
Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask while outdoors

CHANGES FROM 1 DECEMBER 2021
On Wednesday 1 December 2021, the following settings will apply to all NSW citizens, regardless of their vaccination status:

Gatherings in the home and outdoor public spaces
No limit on the number of visitors to a home
Density will shift to one person per 2 sqm for indoor and outdoor settings
No limit on the number of people who can attend informal outdoor gatherings
COVID Safe plan required for outdoor events with more than 1,000 people
Community sport permitted for all people.

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms
Retail stores can operate at one person per 2 sqm
Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage can operate with one person per 2 sqm
Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 2 sqm inside and outside, with no seating required for eating and drinking
Gyms and indoor recreation facilities, including indoor pools, can operate with one person per 2 sqm (uncapped)
Intimate services can open with one person per 4 sqm

Major outdoor recreation facilities
Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 2 sqm.

Entertainment, information and education facilities
Entertainment facilities (including cinemas, theatres, music halls) can operate with one person per 2 sqm
Information and education facilities (including libraries, museums and galleries) can operate with one person per 2 sqm
Amusement centres and nightclubs can open with one person per 4 sqm.

Working from home
Working from home will be at employer’s discretion.

Education
All year groups return to face-to-face learning.

Weddings, funerals and places of worship
One person per 2 sqm for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing
One person per 2 sqm for funerals
Churches and places of worship can operate with one person per 2 sqm, with singing permitted.

Travel
Domestic travel, including trips between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW
Caravan parks and camping grounds can operate
Carpooling is permitted
Quarantine settings for vaccinated arrivals will be altered. A cap on unvaccinated travellers may remain.

Masks
Masks wearing will be mandatory while travelling on public transport, on planes and at airports, and for front-of-house hospitality workers
Mask wearing is not required when outdoors.

For further information about the Reopening NSW roadmap, go to www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19.

Gatherings in the home and outdoor public spaces

• Up to 10 visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under)
• Up to 20 people can continue to gather in unregulated outdoor settings
• Up to 200 people can attend COVID Safe events
• Up to 500 people can attend controlled (ticketed and seated) events
• Community sport permitted
• Those who are not fully vaccinated may only gather outdoors in groups of 2 people.

NSW Health Update, 27 September 2021:

ROADMAP RECOVERY REVEALS PATH FORWARD FOR ALL NSW

NSW has a clear path to follow out of the pandemic and lockdowns, with the roadmap for easing restrictions at the 80 per cent double dose target revealing a brighter future for the community.

From the Monday after NSW hits the 80 per cent (aged 16 and over) double dose vaccination target, eased restrictions will allow those who are fully vaccinated to have up to 10 people visit their home, participate in community sport, and access hospitality venues (where drinking while standing up will be allowed indoors). All premises will operate at 1 person per 4sqm indoors, and 1 person per 2sqm outdoors.

Given updated health advice, adjustments have been made to the 70 per cent roadmap. Regional travel will now not be allowed until 80 per cent (fully vaccinated only), and a booking cap has been introduced for hospitality venues of 20 people per booking.

NSW Health Update, 9 September 2021:

ROADMAP TO FREEDOM UNVEILED FOR THE FULLY VACCINATED

Stay-at-home orders for adults who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be lifted from the Monday after NSW passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target, under the roadmap to freedom released today.

The roadmap is subject to further fine-tuning and health advice if circumstances change drastically or if cases within a designated area remain too high.

Only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will have access to the freedoms allowed under the Reopening NSW roadmap.

The freedoms for vaccinated adults will come into effect on the Monday after NSW hits the 70 per cent double dose target and include:

Gatherings in the home and public spaces:

• Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not including children 12 and under).
• Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:

• Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
• Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule (unvaccinated people will continue to only be able to access critical retail).
• Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.
• Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.
• Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.

Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:

• Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people.
• Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.
• Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.

Weddings, funerals and places of worship:

• Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.
• Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.
• Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.

Travel:

• Domestic travel, including trips to regional NSW, will be permitted.
• Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.
• Carpooling will be permitted.

Non-vaccinated young people aged under 16 will be able to access all outdoor settings but will only be able to visit indoor venues with members of their household.

Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so.

There will be revised guidance on isolation for close and casual contacts who are fully vaccinated, with details to be provided closer to the reopening date.

Masks:

• Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.
• Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.
• Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.

When NSW hits the 80 per cent double dose target, the government intends to open up further freedoms around international travel, community sport, major events and other areas.

If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon possible.

For the latest information visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19

NSW Health Update, 26 August 2021:

People across NSW who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed more freedoms next month after NSW hit the target of six million jabs.

This is the first step in the roadmap and further freedoms will follow for those who have had the jab when the state hits new vaccination targets of 70 and 80 per cent.

From 12.01am, Monday, 13 September:

• For those who live outside the LGAs of concern, outdoor gatherings of up to five people (including children, all adults must be vaccinated) will be allowed in a person’s LGA or within 5km of home.
• For those who live in the LGAs of concern households with all adults vaccinated will be able to gather outdoors for recreation (including picnics) within the existing rules (for one hour only, outside curfew hours and within 5km of home). This is in addition to the one hour allowed for exercise.

As part of the roadmap when the following targets are hit, freedoms will be as follows:

• 70 per cent full vaccination: a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions to be lifted for those who are vaccinated.
• 80 per cent full vaccination: further easing of restrictions on industry, community and the economy.

The government is also investigating trials of certain industries in coming months, as a proof-of-concept measure to prepare the businesses to open up and operate in a COVID-safe way.

If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon possible.

There are several options to receive your ‘proof of COVID-19 vaccination’:

• Download your COVID-19 digital certificate via the Express Plus Medicare mobile app or your Medicare online account through myGov.
  • • You can add your COVID-19 digital certificate to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
    • Instructions are available on the Services Australia website.
• If you can’t get proof online, your vaccination provider can print your immunisation history statement for you.
• Call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm) and ask for your statement to be sent to you. It can take up to 14 days to arrive in the post.
• If you’re not eligible for Medicare you can call the Australian Immunisation Register and request your certificate be mailed to you or add your COVID-19 certificate to your digital wallet using the Individual Healthcare Identifiers service (IHI service) through myGov.

For the latest information visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19

NSW Health Update, 28 July 2021:

Given low vaccination rates, the current stay at home orders will remain in place for another four weeks (until Saturday, 28 August at 12.01am) across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour.

This extra time will allow NSW residents to significantly increase the uptake of vaccines in areas most affected by the current outbreak and across the state.

Other restriction changes are as follows:

From midnight tonight (28 July):

• In line with exercise rules, Greater Sydney residents including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour must limit their shopping to within their Local Government Area (LGA) or, if outside their LGA, within 10km from home, unless the item is not available locally.
• Given localised case numbers, the Parramatta, Campbelltown and Georges River LGAs will join the five existing LGAs of concern which are subject to an Authorised Workers Order. Only authorised workers in these eight LGAs may leave their LGA for work.

The five previously announced LGAs of concern are Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown and Cumberland.

From 12.01am, Saturday, 31 July:

• Construction in non-occupied settings outside of the LGAs of concern (with no residents on-site) will re-open as planned, subject to a one person per 4sqm rule. These low-risk construction sites must have COVID safe plans in place, compliance will be strictly enforced. Construction cannot resume in the eight LGAs of concern, nor will construction workers be allowed to leave these areas.
• Trades people, including cleaners who are able to work with zero contact with residents will also be allowed to resume (no more than two people inside and five outside). If contactless arrangements are not possible, work cannot go ahead. This work will not be allowed in the eight LGAs of concern, nor will workers be allowed to leave these areas.
• A singles bubble will also be introduced, allowing people who live alone to nominate one designated family member or friend to visit for companionship. Restrictions will apply for people in the LGAs of concern.

Changes to surveillance testing (enforceable from Saturday, 31 July):

• All authorised workers from Canterbury-Bankstown LGA must get tested once every three days in order to leave their LGA for work.
• People who live in the Fairfield and Cumberland LGAs but work outside these areas as health or aged care workers (including support services for health or aged care, such as cleaners, cooks and security providers) must be tested once every three days in order to be allowed to go to work outside their LGA.
• These surveillance testing requirements will be enforceable from Saturday, 31 July. However, relevant workers will have from today to get their first test.

Year 12 students are also set to return to face-to-face learning on Monday, 16 August, with the Government finalising plans for the resumption of in-class study under strict COVID protocols.

The NSW Government is also working with industry and the Department of Education to introduce Rapid Antigen Testing to mitigate against outbreaks in workplaces and schools.

For the latest information visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

NSW Health Update, 19 July 2021:

Two new NSW Health vaccination centres have opened their doors this morning, boosting the NSW Government’s contribution to the Federal Government’s vaccine rollout.

The growing number of NSW Health sites complements the GP Network, which has and will continue to deliver the majority of COVID-19 vaccines across NSW.

The mass vaccination centre in Belmont, Lake Macquarie, which has been transformed from an old Bunnings Warehouse into a vaccine centre in six weeks, began administering jabs this morning.

The centre will have capacity to administer up to 20,000 Pfizer vaccinations each week and will employ around 100 nurses, 25 pharmacists/pharmacy technicians, and around 200 other support staff.

The new vaccination clinic on Pitt Street in the Sydney CBD also began administering vaccines this morning, and has capacity to administer up to 7,000 Pfizer vaccinations each week.

Mass vaccination centres at Macquarie Fields in Sydney’s south-west and Wollongong are set to open in the coming weeks.

To check your eligibility and book an appointment use the  vaccine eligibility checker: https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility

NSW Health Update, 17 July 2021:

Given the number of infectious cases in the community, the following changes have been announced to further limit the spread of the COVID-19 Delta strain.

On the basis of updated health advice, the following changes come into effect across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour until 11.59pm on Friday, 30 July:

From 11.59pm on Saturday, 17 July:

• Retail premises will be required to close (‘click and collect’, takeaway and home delivery can still operate), except the following can remain open:
  • Supermarkets and grocery stores (including butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable stores, liquor stores and fishmongers);
  • Stores that predominantly sell health, medical, maternity and infant supplies;
  • Pharmacies and chemists;
  • Petrol stations;
  • Car hire;
  • Banks and financial institutions;
  • Hardware, nurseries and building supplies;
  • Agricultural and rural supplies;
  • Pet supplies;
  • Post offices and newsagents; and
  • Office supplies.
• In addition to the stay-at-home rules, residents of Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool LGAs cannot leave their LGA for work except for emergency services and healthcare workers (including aged and disability workers). Where those workers do need to leave their LGA for work, they are required to be tested every three days, even if they do not have symptoms;
• Anyone who leaves the home must have a mask with them at all times. They must be worn when you are working outdoors, in outdoor markets, outdoor shopping strips, and in an outdoor queues waiting for products such as coffee and food; and
• All carpooling to be stopped unless among members of the same household.

From 12.01am on Monday, 19 July:

• All construction to be paused; and
• Non-urgent maintenance, including cleaning services, and repair work on residential premises to be paused.

From 12.01am on Wednesday, 21 July:

• Employers must allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so, failure to do so can result in a fine of up to $10,000.

All other restrictions currently in place across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour will remain in place.

NSW Health Update, 9 July 2021:

COVID-19 restrictions tightened across Greater Sydney

Given the growing number of infectious cases in the community and unlinked cases of community transmission, COVID-19 restrictions will be tightened across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour.

From 5pm today (Friday, 9 July) the following additional restrictions will be in place:

• Outdoor public gatherings limited to two people (excluding members of the same household);
• People must stay in their Local Government Area or within 10kms of home for exercise and outdoor recreation, with no carpooling between non-household members;
• Browsing in shops is prohibited, plus only one person per household, per day may leave the home for shopping;
• Funerals limited to ten people in total (this will take effect from Sunday, 11 July).

The four reasons to leave your home remain in place:

• Shopping for food or other essential goods and services (one person only);
• Medical care or compassionate needs (only one visitor can enter another residence to fulfil carers’ responsibilities or provide care or assistance, or for compassionate reasons);
• Exercise with no more than 2 (unless members of the same household);
• Essential work, or education, where you cannot work or study from home.

Restrictions in regional NSW will remain unchanged.

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This information has been provided by NSW Health to the Jewish Board of Deputies. A number of new COVID-19 cases have recently been identified among older members of the community.

We encourage family members and neighbours to support older people around them to get tested promptly and to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

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Exemption under Public Health Orders – Places of Worship – singing and chanting

The Minister for Health has approved an exemption under the Public Health Orders relating to singing and chanting in places of worship.

Please find the exemption instrument attached. It can also be found here.

The exemption means that:

In Greater Sydney:

• Two singers are permitted to sing or chant at a place of public worship.
• These singers must be in a room or designated area of the place of public worship.
• There can only be two other persons (eg. musician or camera operator) in the room or designated area with the two singers while they are singing.
• While they are singing, the two singers must be 3 metres away from anyone else at the place of public worship.
• These singers are not required to wear a face mask while they are singing or chanting only, but must at all other times while they are at the place of public worship.

Places of worship outside of Greater Sydney:

• The following people are permitted to sing or chant while at a place of public worship:
  • An individual who is integral to the conduct of the religious service, or
  • A group of up to 5 singers at one time during a single service.
• These people must wear a mask while singing and while at the place of public worship.
• They must maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres from each other and at least 3 metres from the congregation.

Please note that all other requirements of the Public Health (COVID-19 Temporary Movement and Gathering Restrictions) Order 2021 continue to apply, and places of public worship in Greater Sydney must still be closed to members of the public except for:

• a funeral or memorial service, or a gathering following a funeral or memorial service, at which there are no more than 100 persons, including the person conducting the service, or
• providing educational services or childcare.

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COVID testing
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District asks that anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or who has been to a venue of concern to promptly seek testing and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. Information is being updated regularly so find the latest locations of concern at:

Latest COVID-19 case locations and alerts in NSW – COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

There are multiple testing locations available in the eastern and southern suburbs including drive-through options. Find your closest testing clinic at:

COVID-19 testing clinics | NSW Government

People with mobility issues including older people are prioritised at testing clinics so you will not have to stand in a queue for a long time.
Vaccination

Please get vaccinated as soon as you can and help other family members who need support to get vaccinated. Speak to your GP if you are unsure about your options to be vaccinated against COVID-19.