After a day of confusion about how and whether the Illawarra is included in the NSW Government's latest restrictions as it tries to stem the spread of the Northern Beaches COVID-19 outbreak, NSW Health has made a definitive list of the LGA's affected by the rules.
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And, despite being part of the Illawarra/Shoalhaven region - which was initially identified by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Sunday as being part of the health order - Shellharbour, Kiama and the Shoalhaven are not on it.
That means residents in these areas can still host up to 50 people in their homes, and venues do not have to reintroduce the four square metre rule. Indoor singing and chanting is also still allowed.
Of the region's council areas, only Wollongong - which is classed as a metropolitan Local Government Area - appears on the list.
Confusingly, the Newcastle LGA - which is also classed as metro and is roughly the same distance from the Northern Beaches as Wollongong - is not being restricted at this time.
The Southern Highlands region - frequented by Sydneysiders - has also escaped the new restrictions, but Wollondilly is included.
To add to the confusion, it is important to note that while Shellharbour, Kiama and the Shoalhaven are not included in the NSW Government health order, they may be included in travel bans from other states.
And, like all NSW residents, travel to the Northern Beaches for any Illawarra resident could result in a $1000 fine.
Advice from NSW Health on restrictions for Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong
In response to an increase in COVID-19 cases, changes to restrictions are being introduced under a Public Health Order. These rules and restrictions apply to Greater Sydney, the Central Coast and Wollongong from Monday 21 December 2020.
The following restrictions are now in place:
-The number of visitors allowed in a place of residence will be limited to 10 people. The total number of visitors includes adults and children. The limit to the number of visitors applies until midnight on 23 December 2020.
-A maximum of 10 people are permitted in holiday homes and short-term rentals unless everyone is from the same household.
This applies until midnight on 23 December 2020. However, for premises that had already been rented out to more than 10 people before 21 December, the people can continue to stay there.
- Existing capacity requirements of 1 person per 2 square metres will be tightened to 1 person per 4 square metres in indoor areas.
-A maximum of 300 people, subject to the 1 person per 4 square metres rule applies for each separate area of:
- hospitality venues
- places of public worship.
- Religious services held indoors are limited to a maximum of 300 people, subject to the 1 person per 4 square metres rule.
- Singing and chanting at indoor venues will not be allowed.
- Dance floors will not be permitted, except for weddings, where a maximum of 20 people from the bridal party will be permitted.
The restrictions apply to these Local Government Areas:
- Bayside
- Blacktown
- Blue Mountains
- Burwood
- Camden
- Campbelltown
- Canada Bay
- Canterbury-Bankstown
- Central Coast
- Cumberland
- Fairfield
- Georges River
- Hawkesbury
- The Hills Shire
- Hornsby
- Hunter's Hill
- Inner West
- Ku-ring-gai
- Lane Cove
- Liverpool
- Mosman
- North Sydney
- Northern Beaches
- Paramatta
- Penrith
- Randwick
- Ryde
- Strathfield
- Sutherland Shire
- Sydney
- Waverly
- Willoughby
- Wollondilly
- Wollongong
- Woollahra
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