Tighter restrictions and harsher penalties will come into force as NSW battles to bring the latest COVID-19 outbreak under control.
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The entire state is now subject to the stay-at-home order, which mean people must not leave home unless for a reasonable excuse: to obtain food or other goods and services; work or education, when it cannot be done at home; exercise and outdoor recreation; or medical and care reasons.
The new rules apply from 12.01am on Monday, August 16 and include new distance limits for obtaining food or other goods and services, or partaking in exercise or outdoor recreation.
People are allowed to travel anywhere within their own local government area for these reasons.
But if they have to enter another LGA for shopping or exercise, they cannot travel any further than 5 kilometres from home.
The limit does not apply when leaving home for work or education, or for medical or compassionate reasons, although people should not travel outside their local area if they can avoid it.
This new restriction applies in both Greater Sydney - including Wollongong and Shellharbour - and regional NSW, although the 12 LGAs of concern in Sydney have stricter rules.
When leaving home for any of the allowed reasons, a person must carry proof of address.
The state government has also introduced a permit system for people from the Greater Sydney area who wish to enter regional NSW for certain reasons.
Anyone who wants to inspect a property in regional NSW (to live in - inspecting prospective investment properties is prohibited) or travel to a second home to carry out urgent maintenance or use it as work accommodation must obtain a permit from Service NSW.
This also applies to authorised workers from the LGAs of concern.
The 'singles bubble' rule, which lets single people living alone have one nominated visitor to their home, remains in place.
People are still permitted to exercise outdoors with one other person from outside their household.
Weddings are not allowed, and funerals and memorial services are capped at 10 guests.
Those found breaching the health orders will now receive larger penalties.
People who breach self-isolation, lie on a permit, or lie to a contact tracer will be slapped with a $5000 fine.
People who flout the two-person outdoor exercise rule can expect a $3000 fine, as can those who breach the rules around entering regional NSW for authorised work, inspecting real estate, and travelling to a second home.
Police are stepping up enforcement measures with Operation STAY AT HOME, which launches overnight.
This will see more officers on the ground across the Greater Sydney region, 1400 Traffic and Highway Patrol officers conducting compliance operations on the road, and another 500 Australian Defence Force personnel brought in to assist.
Movement from Greater Sydney to regional areas, and between regional areas, will be a key focus.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
