NSW Government Weekly Update - 16 July 2021

COVID-19 FIGHTING FUND TO PROTECT BUSINESSES, SAVE JOBS AND SUPPORT NSW THROUGH LOCKDOWN
 

• The NSW Government announced a comprehensive economic support package worth billions of dollars aimed at helping businesses and people right across the state fight through the current COVID-19 lockdown.
• The commitment will now be up to $5.1 billion, including more than $1 billion from the Commonwealth as part of a business and employee support program.
• For more information on the $5.1 billion support package visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

TEACHER VACCINATIONS PRIORITISED IN SOUTH WESTERN SYDNEY
 

• More than 10,000 teachers and school staff in South Western Sydney’s areas of COVID concern will have priority access to the vaccine rollout.
• A vaccine hub will begin operating at Fairfield Showground this Friday, 16 July to vaccinate teachers and aged care workers.
• Eligible staff will be issued links to access a vaccine appointment and they will need to provide proof of employment when they arrive for their vaccination.

EXPANDED COVID-SAFE CHECK-IN MANDATE TAKES EFFECT
 

• Customers and businesses are reminded that the use of the NSW Government’s COVID-Safe Check-In will be mandatory at most workplaces and retail businesses in the State.
• Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said check-in information from these additional venues is critical to support the work of NSW Health contact tracing teams in the fight against the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19.
• More information regarding the expanded COVID-Safe Check In mandate including affected businesses and industries can be found on nsw.gov.au.
• Businesses who need to register for the NSW Government QR code can find the application form and more information at https://www.nsw.gov.au/register-your-business-as-covid-safe
• For those without a digital device, businesses must provide a tablet or other device to assist customers complete the online check in form.

SUPPORT FOR COMMERCIAL TENANTS AND LANDLORDS UNDER COVID FIGHTING FUND
 

• Eligible commercial tenants and landlords will receive greater support and certainty during the current restrictions with the NSW Government acting quickly to implement the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 as part of the $5.1 billion COVID-19 economic support package.
• Commercial and retail landlords will be required to attempt mediation before taking certain actions, such as recovering a security bond, locking out or eviction against a tenant impacted by the Public Health Orders.
• For more information on mediation support and the Small Business Commission visit: https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/

NSW GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR RENTERS AND LANDLORDS
 

• The NSW Government has announced new support for renters and landlords impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown, including up to $210 million in grants to eligible landlords.
• Residential tenants will have greater protection with a targeted eviction moratorium, which will be implemented through legislative changes.

SUPPLY DROP FOR SCHOOLS AS TERM 3 BEGINS
 

• More than a thousand schools now have access to extra equipment to assist online learning for the start of Term 3.
• Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said a major operation has been undertaken so that thousands of devices and supplies are available for schools across the state.

RELIGIOUS AND MULTICULTURAL LEADERS THANKED FOR DELIVERING MESSAGE
 

• Religious and community leaders are being thanked by the NSW Government for helping deliver the crucial stay at home message to our multicultural community.
• Minister for Multiculturalism Natalie Ward said there is overwhelming support to ensure everyone is aware of the public health orders.
• For more resources in your language, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/resources-other-languages

 
LOCKDOWN LIFELINE: MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR NSW

• People in mandatory isolation will have access to around the clock wellbeing and mental health support and there will be increased access to services for parents, young people and multicultural communities who are struggling during the lockdown.
• As part of a joint Commonwealth and NSW Government package worth $17.35 million, NSW will provide $5.1m for a range of mental health services across NSW.

Beyond Blue	1800 51 23 48
Lifeline Australia	13 11 14
Domestic Violence Line	1800 65 64 63
1800RESPECT	1800 73 77 32

If you are in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact emergency services on Triple Zero (000).

DRIVERS REMINDED TO SLOW DOWN IN SCHOOL ZONES

• Drivers are being reminded to slow down and take extra care with school zones back in force across New South Wales.
• Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said while most students in Greater Sydney are learning from home this week, schools remain open for those who need to attend and school zones are still enforced from the first day of term.