1 September 2020

Key changes will be made to ease restrictions on the NSW Victorian border to help residents and local businesses operate as Victoria continues to battle COVID-19.

A single border region will be reinstated that extends to around 50 kilometres on either side of the border.

The new border region and ‘border region resident’ permit will come into effect at 12:01am on Friday, 4 September.

The new permit will allow a resident within the border region to enter NSW for the following:

• To obtain necessary goods or services;
• For care or other compassionate reasons; and
• To attend work or obtain educational services (where it is not reasonable for the person to work or obtain educational services from their state of residence).

A border region resident who is a NSW resident:

• Is authorised to enter Victoria only for the reason allowed in the permit; and
• Must not travel to any part of Victoria that is outside of the border region or is a COVID-19 area of concern.

A border region resident who is a Victorian resident:

• Is authorised to enter and remain in NSW only for the reason allowed in the permit;
• Must not travel to any part of NSW that is outside of the border region; and
• Must not enter NSW if the resident had travelled in Victoria in a restricted area (which is currently Greater Melbourne) or a COVID-19 area of concern in Victoria within the previous 14 days.

Read the full story here

3 August 2020

Snowy Valleys Council is encouraging community members to remain vigilant in protecting themselves and the wider region against the spread of COVID-19 and to work in partnership with businesses and other agencies to meet the Public Health Order requirements.

Mayor James Hayes said the safety and wellbeing of the community is at the forefront for Council.

“Our region had been incredibly fortunate so far in keeping the virus at bay, and it is important that as a community everyone continues to practice the key activities set down by NSW Health including social distancing, good hand hygiene and staying home if you feel unwell”, he said.

“It’s easy to think it won’t happen here but as a border community we have seen close-up what is happening in Victoria and so we need to take extra care and not let our guard down,” he said.

“If you don’t need to go somewhere, don’t go. Only shop once a week if you can and always remember to carry hand sanitizer and wear a mask if you are in high traffic public areas.

“We must all continue to follow the public health advice and take preventative measures to protect ourselves, as well as our family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues,” Mayor Hayes stressed.

Everyone is encouraged to:

• Stay home if you feel unwell, get tested and isolate at home until negative results are received
• Use hand sanitisers regularly when in public spaces and avoid touching your face
• Ensure physical distancing when greeting other people
• Wear a mask if you can’t social distance
• Limit social gatherings
• Reduce frequency of essential activities in the community
• Limit travel outside the local region and non-essential visitation from people living outside the region
• Be aware and avoid current hotspots
• If you are a business ensure your COVID safe plan is active

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2 August 2020

The NSW Government is strongly encouraging greater use of masks in high-risk public settings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The advice from the NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant specifically recommends:

• the use of face masks in indoor settings where physical distancing is hard to maintain, such as on public transport or in supermarkets
• the use of face masks (where practical) in indoor settings with a higher risk of transmission, such as for the staff of hospitality and customer-facing venues i.e. cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs
• during attendance at places of worship.

Wearing a mask in any of these settings is not mandatory but is highly recommended, especially in areas where there has been community transmission.

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29 July 2020

From Saturday 1 August 2020, new rules will be in place for gyms and fitness centres to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in NSW.

Under the new rules, all gyms and fitness centres must:

• register and have a COVID Safety Plan
• have a dedicated COVID-19 Safe Hygiene Marshal on duty at all times.

Gyms and fitness centres must take all reasonable steps to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Businesses who fail to be compliant will risk facing a fine or venue closure.

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the extra measures are necessary to stop the spread of the virus.

"Without proper COVID safeguards, they may present a transmission risk and that is why we need operators to put their customers first by registering their COVID Safety Plan," Mr Dominello said.

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24 July 2020

Businesses must comply with new public health orders targeting higher risk activities to stop the spread of COVID-19.

From 24 July 2020, new rules will be in place for businesses across the state:

• compliance measures introduced to pubs will be extended to restaurants, bars, cafés and clubs. This includes:
  1. limiting group bookings to a maximum of 10 people
  2. mandatory COVID-Safe plans and registration as a COVID-Safe business
  3. provide digital records of customer visits within 24 hours.
• weddings and corporate events will be limited to 150 people and subject to the four square metre rule. Registration of all venues must be a COVID-Safe business. Higher risk activities including choirs and dancing will not be allowed
• funerals and places of worship will be limited to 100 people and subject to the four square metre rule. All venues must have a COVID-Safe business registration.

Businesses who do not comply with the public health orders will risk a fine or venue closure.

Current restrictions on gatherings will remain the same:

• 20 guests are allowed inside a home
• 20 guests are allowed to gather in a public place.

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19 July 2020

The NSW Government has established a strict new border zone, tightened permit conditions and stronger enforcement powers to further restrict entry to NSW for Victorians.

New border entry rules from 22 July

Under the Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Amendment Order 2020

• changes have been made to the eligibility criteria for permits
• a border zone resident has been redefined.

People will have to reapply for a new permit to enter NSW from Victoria.

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7 July 2020

NSW will temporarily shut its border with Victoria to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and jobs of NSW citizens.

The closure will be effective from 12.01am Wednesday, 8 July and follows the concerning spread of COVID-19 in Melbourne.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the decision was made after consulting with the NSW Chief Health Officer and discussions with the Prime Minister and Victorian Premier Dan Andrews.

“The people of NSW have done an incredible job to help stop the spread of COVID-19, allowing us to open up our economy,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“The outbreak of cases we are seeing in Victoria is putting these gains at risk.

“I do not take this step lightly, but have always said we will do what we must to protect the health and jobs of NSW residents.”

Ms Berejiklian stressed the border closure is a temporary measure.

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25 June 2020

From 1 July 2020, there are new rules keeping the state COVID-Safe.

• The number of people allowed inside indoor venues will be determined by the ‘one person per 4 square metre’ rule, with no upper limit. This includes function centres. All activity must be seated only.
• Cultural and sporting events at outdoor venues with a maximum capacity of 40,000 will be allowed up to 25 percent of their normal capacity. Events must be ticketed and seated and follow strict guidelines.
• On compassionate grounds, restrictions on funerals will immediately be eased to allow the four square metre rule to apply.
• All other restrictions including 20 guests inside the home and 20 for outside gatherings remain the same.

Click here to read the full article

16 June 2020

Small businesses across NSW will be able to apply for funding to help them safely reopen after the COVID-19 shutdown.

Under the new Small Business Recovery Grant, small businesses will be able to apply for funding up to $3000.

The grants can be used to cover marketing and advertising expenses, make fit-out changes and train staff in how to work safely under the current COVID-19 health conditions.

Applications will open on the Service NSW website from Wednesday 1 July 2020 until Sunday 16 August 2020.

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15 June 2020

COVID-19 restrictions will ease at NSW public schools from Monday 15 June 2020, including assemblies, choirs and class photographs.

Under the new guidelines, the NSW Government has announced a staged resumption of school activities.

From 15 June 2020, external providers such as music and drama tutors can provide services on school sites. Community use activities such as dance schools can resume their use of school premises.

Find out more about the COVID-19 school restrictions