COVID-19- Snowy Valleys

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.

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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

11 June 2020

NSW will ease further restrictions from this Saturday, 13 June, with food courts allowed to reopen, the number of people allowed to visit homes increased from 5 to 20, and the number of people allowed to gather outdoors increased from 10 to 20.

Food courts must have a COVID safe plan in place when they reopen on Saturday, this will include:

• Abiding by the 4 square metre rule;
• A maximum of 50 people per separate seated eating area; and
• Enhanced hygiene and cleaning processes.

For the latest information please go to nsw.gov.au/covid-19

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9 June 2020

Businesses will be able to check, test and promote their COVID Safe credentials with the launch of the NSW Government’s online COVID Safe Check.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the online tool would help businesses get back to work safely.

“With the recent easing of restrictions thousands of businesses are reopening their doors and welcoming back customers,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We have put industry specific information under the one roof, including downloadable badges for businesses with COVID Safe plans to display in their premises, so customers know they have the tick of approval.

“Customers can also use the tool to provide feedback in real-time. Feedback is sent to the business and, if necessary, to the regulator for action.”

Mr Dominello said the tool is simple to use, with more than 8,000 businesses having already downloaded a COVID Safety Plan template, which is stage one of the process and already available.

“Businesses need to complete three easy steps – visit nsw.gov.au, go through industry specific guidance, and register and download materials,” Mr Dominello said.

“Businesses will be told what they need to do to be COVID Safe. This may include physical distancing, cleaning and record keeping requirements. Once businesses have completed the above steps and finalised their COVID Safe plan they will be able to complete an online self-declaration.

“Businesses will also be provided with advice on how to integrate their COVID Safe status with Google Maps, giving customers a bird’s-eye view of COVID Safe businesses when searching online. This gives them peace of mind and an incentive for businesses to register.”

The COVID Safe Check will go live today and will be available at www.nsw.gov.au

2 June 2020

Gyms, indoor pools, yoga and dance studios will be able to reopen across NSW from 13 June 2020 and kids’ sport from 1 July 2020.

From Saturday 13 June 2020, the following will be allowed in NSW:

• fitness, gymnasiums, pilates, yoga and dance studios can reopen with up to 10 people per class and 100 people in an indoor venue
• community centres, including their recreational facilities can reopen
• some indoor recreational facilities including pools and saunas can reopen with restricted numbers
• tattoo and massage parlours can reopen with up to 10 clients.

The four square metre rule must be applied at all times.

Kids’ sport and community sport competitions can restart for those aged 18 years and under from Wednesday 1 July 2020.

The return date for adult community sport activities will be made at a later stage.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said COVID-19 safety plans for each activity or sport are critical to enable this re-start.

“Sport and businesses will need to do things a little differently than in pre-COVID-19 times and following their safety plan is key to keeping people safe,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Re-opening kids’ sporting competitions on 1 July 2020 gives groups and local government which manages many of these facilities, time to work through all the new changes.”

Learn more about what you can and can't do under the rules.

Published 1 June 2020

As COVID-19 restrictions relax across the state, it’s important for everyone to maintain physical distancing and follow all health and safety guidelines.

From Monday 1 June 2020, the following services and activities are allowed in NSW:

• pubs, clubs, casinos, cafes and restaurants can have up to 50 customers in seated food and drink areas
• travel to regional NSW for a holiday
• up to 50 people can attend places of worship and attend a funeral
• up to 20 guests can attend weddings
• zoos, aquariums and reptile parks can open
• beauty, nail, tanning and waxing salon operators can begin treatments
• camping grounds and caravan parks can open
• museums, galleries and libraries can reopen to the public.

If you are eligible to reopen or increase your operations, visit the industry guidelines to ensure your business is safe from any potential spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Businesses that are reopening must comply with the one person per four square metre rule.

Read the full story here nsw.gov.au/news/new-covid-19-restrictions-place-across-nsw

Published 21 May 2020

Holiday makers and travelers are being enticed to plan trips and stay-overs in the Snowy Valleys region from the first of June.

In response to announcement of state travel restrictions about to be lifted, Snowy Valleys Council has launched its Come Find Us social media and print campaign.

Council’s Executive Director Community and Corporate Paul Holton said that immediately following the Premier’s announcement the Visit Snowy Valleys’ campaign was put into motion.

“With a couple of key long weekends in the ACT and NSW approaching, it was important that we came out of the gates fast to get a good share of the air time,” he said.

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Published on 18 May 2020

• Tumut and Tumbarumba counters open from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday

Following an easing of COVID-19 restrictions across the state Snowy Valleys Council have re-opened their customer service counters for face-to-face assistance in Tumut and Tumbarumba.

CEO Matthew Hyde said while doors had re-opened Council encouraged customers to continue to interact with staff by phone or email in the first instance to help reduce any health risks.

“We have been consistently delivering our services in alternative ways since late March and these opportunities via phone, email and on-line remain the best low risk ways to continue to do transactional business with Council at this time,” Mr Hyde said.

“Those most likely needing to attend our counters will be people in the higher risk health categories including the more elderly in our community, so with less people we can ensure the space is as safe as possible and that we can easily adhere to social distancing requirements,” he said.

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