With COVID-19 rules seemingly changing day to day depending on where you live, it can be difficult to keep up with what applies to you.
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In regional NSW, 30 local government areas remain under stay-at-home orders, a month after the statewide lockdown was announced.
But, as the state reaches more vaccination targets, a number of restrictions have started to ease and we've put together a handy guide for everything you can and can't do, as of Monday, September 20.
What are the current stay-at-home restrictions for Eurobodalla?
There are currently eight reasonable excuses to leave home, which include:
Shopping for essential food or other goods and services locally
- This means shopping within your own local government area, or, if on the border to another LGA, within 5 kilometres of your home.
- Remember, only one person in the household can leave the residence to shop for food, goods or services, and only once per day. This restriction does not apply if a parent needs to take their dependent child to the shops with them.
- Browsing in shops is not permitted.
Travelling to work or education, where it is not possible to do so from home
- Employers must still ask staff to work from home if they can.
Exercise outdoors in groups of no more than two if not fully vaccinated, excluding members of the same household
- Up to five fully vaccinated people over 16 years old can gather for outdoor exercise. The five person limit does not include children under-12.
- For exercise or recreation people must stay in their local government area or, if on the border to another LGA, within 5 kilometres of home.
- There is no time limit on how long you can exercise outdoors.
- You do not need to wear a mask while exercising, but you must carry one with you.
- Up to five fully vaccinated people over 16 years old can gather for outdoor exercise
Getting medical care or supplies
- This includes receiving a COVID-19 vaccination
Providing care or assistance to a vulnerable person
Attending a small funeral of no more than 10 people
- This number does not include the person conducting the service and any other person needed to conduct or prepare the service.
- A funeral cannot occur in a place of residence.
- A person who lives in a stay-at-home area can only attend a funeral in another area if they are the spouse, de facto partner, parent, child or sibling of the deceased person.
Attending a small wedding service
- No more than 11 people can attend a wedding service.
- This number includes five people legally required for a wedding: the people getting married, a celebrant and two witnesses, five guests and one person to record the service.
Transporting a member of your household who is authorised to leave home
- This includes driving children to school
What is the 'friend bubble'?
From midday Tuesday, September 21, people aged 18 years and under who live in the Eurobodalla will be able to create a bubble of three friends and visit each other's homes for play and activity.
The rule is subject to the following conditions:
- Each child is allowed to have two designated friends come to their house. These two friends must always be the same, creating a three-person bubble.
- All people older than 18 years in all the households must be fully vaccinated.
- The friends must live within 5km of each other or in the same LGA.
- If parents/carers are dropping children off, they must not stay to interact with other parents or carers.
What should I take with me when leaving the house?
Along with the phone, wallet and keys remember to bring a mask with you and a proof of address, especially if you have a reason to travel to a neighboring LGA.
What are the rules for face masks?
Face masks must be worn by persons over-12 years old in all non-residential indoor and outdoor areas, except when exercising.
You must carry a mask at all times, even when exercising.
You should always use hand sanitiser or wash your hands before and after changing your face mask.
There are some health exemptions for wearing a face mask which can be found on the NSW Health website.
What is the picnic rule?
As of Monday, September 13 outdoor picnic gatherings of up to five fully vaccinated people, not including children under 12-years old, are allowed.
Gatherings must take place within your local government area and must be outside in a public place.
I'm a journalist for the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner and Narooma News. Got a tip? Email maeve.bannister@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I'm a journalist for the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner and Narooma News. Got a tip? Email maeve.bannister@austcommunitymedia.com.au
