NSW COVID Restrictions Explained — This Is Where You Need To Wear ...

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ABC NewsNews HomeLatest updatesAsk a questionShareShare articleNSW COVID restrictions explained — this is where you need to wear a mask, and where you can't travelBy Mridula Amin

• Topic:COVID-19

Wed 23 Jun 2021Wednesday 23 June 2021Wed 23 Jun 2021 at 2:38amLoading...abc.net.au/news/nsw-covid-restrictions-explained/100237232Link copiedShareShare article

The NSW government has introduced new COVID-19 restrictions from 4:00pm on Wednesday, including a ban on non-essential travel outside Sydney and compulsory face masks at work and the gym.

The new measures mean Greater Sydney will be subjected to its toughest mask mandate since the pandemic began.

It's also the first time travel restrictions have been introduced since the Avalon cluster led to more than 150 infections over Christmas.

Catch up on the latest COVID-19 news here

Health authorities revealed 11 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases in today's update, as the outbreak at Bondi spread to Sydney's south-west.

Travel restrictions explained 

Sydneysiders who live or work in several local government areas (LGAs) will be unable to travel outside the city's metropolitan area for non-essential reasons from 4:00pm.

The affected LGAs are: 

• Sydney
• Waverley
• Randwick
• Canada Bay
• Inner West
• Bayside
• Woollahra

While people in these LGAs can travel to other parts of Sydney, the new public health order effectively bans regional trips.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian acknowledged the travel restrictions would affect the looming school holidays but said it was crucial the virus remained contained.

Read more about COVID-19:

• Do kids still need the COVID-19 vaccine in Australia?
• COVID cases are rising across Australia. Here's what we know
• FLiRT is the new COVID causing subvariant, and it's been detected in Australia

Government schools are due to start holidays on Friday, and many private schools have already broken up for term two.

"We apologise in advance that this impacts some people's ability to travel during the school holidays," Ms Berejiklian said.

She said people can travel for essential purpose such as visiting a sick relative, and urged people to use commonsense.

"Please abandon non-essential activities, please don't attend social gatherings unless you absolutely must," she said.

Social distancing rules tightened 

Wearing face masks was already mandatory for some activities like shopping and taking public transport. 

However, the rising number of infections has prompted the NSW government to tighten these further.

From 4:00pm, people in Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains as well as the LGAs of Wollongong and Shellharbour will be subjected to several new public heath orders.

• Visitors to households will be limited to 5 guests – including children
• Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces, gyms and at organised outdoor events
• Drinking while standing at indoor venues will not be allowed
• Singing by audiences at indoor shows or by member of the congregation at indoor places of worship will not be allowed
• Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs; however, dancing is allowed at weddings for the bridal party only (no more than 20 people)
• Dance and gym classes limited to 20 per class (masks must be worn
• The one person per four square metre rule will be re-introduced for all indoor and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals
• Outdoor seated events will be limited to 50 per cent capacity
• Previous public transport capacity limits, represented by green dots, will be reintroduced

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It's the first time that masks will be mandatory in offices, and gyms.

The Premier said tougher restrictions were needed because the strain of COVID-19 circulating in parts of Sydney, was more infectious.

“We want to ensure there is more widespread mask wearing. If you are in an indoor setting including a workplace, including Parliament House except if you are speaking, you should wear a mask," she said.

The Premier appealed for the community to follow the health advice to help authorities contain the outbreak.

“We don’t take these steps lightly and we never want to impose restrictions unless we absolutely have to,” she said.

NSW Health says the restrictions will be in place for one week and will then be reviewed.

Read our full coverage on COVID-19 here

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