Frequently Asked Questions - Updated

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - UPDATED 5pm Monday

I've updated our list of Frequently Asked Questions. In particular, the permit system for workers is in the throes of being refined by the Govt. On Saturday, the Govt said "all people entering regional NSW for work from Greater Sydney" will require a permit. There is now a push to exclude that requirement from Central Coast workers. Will keep you updated but we may not have an answer until tomorrow when the Public Health Order amendments are completed.

I've literally received thousands of emails, calls and messages in the past few days and there is simply no way of responding to them all, I'm sorry. I hope this FAQ helps!

WORK: If you live in one LGA and work in any other LGA, you are able to travel to work.

WORK AND VISITOR PERMITS: On Saturday, the Government announced that "all persons leaving Greater Sydney (including the Central Coast) for work" will need a permit to enter regional NSW. The intention was to manage workers leaving Sydney's hotspot areas but it has also captured the large number of people who live on the Central Coast and work in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle. The Government has informed me this morning that the concerns have been noted and that lawyers are still finalising the actual change to the Public Health Order, so we won't have a clear answer on that until late today or tomorrow. What we do know at the moment is that a permit will not be required for people who live in the Hunter and work in Greater Sydney and the Central Coast. I will post details when the Government finalises the actual rule.

EXERCISE AND SHOPPING: From today, you can exercise or do essential shopping anywhere within your LGA OR within 5km of your home if you have to enter another LGA (such as Newcastle). You can exercise or go for a walk with ALL members of the one household. Only two people from different households can exercise or walk together - that's one from one household and one from another.

CHILD CARE: You are allowed to travel for the purpose of existing child care arrangements. This means that grandparents are still able to care for children in their home while Mum or Dad are at work.

PROVIDING CARE: You are still able to travel outside of your LGA, or within it, to provide care to a vulnerable person. A vulnerable person can be an elderly parent, a disabled friend or relative, someone who has recently undergone surgery or receiving medical treatment.

MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS: You are still able to travel for the purpose of attending any type of medical or specialist appointment either within or outside your LGA.

COVID TEST OR VACCINATION: You are still able to travel anywhere for a Covid test or vaccination.

FISHING: Fishing is an allowed recreation, but only with members of your own household and within your LGA. Like the exercise/recreation rule, you can fish with one other person who is not from your household, but in that case, only two people in total allowed.

BOATING: TRANSPORT for NSW states the following: A reasonable excuse to leave your home to use your vessel could be to: enjoy limited recreation with no more than one other person if not from the same household, and within your LGA or 5km from home if across an LGA boundary. So, just like the exercise rule, it's all members of your household OR one person from a household and one from another household.

PARTNERS: Intimate partners who live at different address (including in different LGAs) are allowed to visit and stay at each other's homes. Only one person allowed to visit or stay. A partner can still visit even if you live with other people, but only one partner allowed to visit the household at any one time. Partners from different addresses can travel in a car together.

REAL ESTATE INSPECTIONS: Permit will be required for anyone travelling from Greater Sydney or the Central Coast. Only one person and that person must genuinely need a home to live in (no investment property purchasing etc).

HOLIDAY HOMES: As above for all people leaving Greater Sydney area - permit required. Travelling to a second home is now only allowed if you are using the home for work accommodation or if the home requires urgent maintenance or repairs.

SINGLES BUBBLES: Singles who live alone in hotspot LGAs will now have to apply for and nominate a registered 'buddy'. This does not include Lake Macquarie, however the rules locally mean that your 'buddy' must also live in the same LGA as you.