NSW Government Weekly Update - 30 July 2021

30 July 2021
For the latest COVID-19 advice & information please visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
 
CERTAINTY FOR THE COMMUNITY AS RESTRICTIONS ADJUSTED AND VACCINES RAMPED UP
 
  • Given low vaccination rates, the current stay at home orders will remain in place for another four weeks (until Saturday, 28 August at 12.01am) across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour.
  • From midnight, Wednesday, 28 July:
    • In line with exercise rules, Greater Sydney residents including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour must limit their shopping to within their Local Government Area (LGA) or, if outside their LGA, within 10km from home, unless the item is not available locally.
    • Given localised case numbers, the Parramatta, Campbelltown and Georges River LGAs will join the five existing LGAs of concern which are subject to an Authorised Workers Order. Only authorised workers in these eight LGAs may leave their LGA for work.
    • The five previously announced LGAs of concern are Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown and Cumberland.
  • From 12.01am, Saturday, 31 July:
    • Construction in non-occupied settings outside of the LGAs of concern (with no residents on-site) will re-open as planned, subject to a one person per 4sqm rule. These low-risk construction sites must have COVID safe plans in place, compliance will be strictly enforced. Construction cannot resume in the eight LGAs of concern, nor will construction workers be allowed to leave these areas.
    • Trades people, including cleaners who are able to work with zero contact with residents will also be allowed to resume (no more than two people inside and five outside). If contactless arrangements are not possible, work cannot go ahead. This work will not be allowed in the eight LGAs of concern, nor will workers be allowed to leave these areas.
    • A singles bubble will also be introduced, allowing people who live alone to nominate one designated family member or friend to visit for companionship. Restrictions will apply for people in the LGAs of concern.
  • Changes to surveillance testing (enforceable from Saturday, 31 July):
    • All authorised workers from Canterbury-Bankstown LGA must get tested once every three days in order to leave their LGA for work.
    • People who live in the Fairfield and Cumberland LGAs but work outside these areas as health or aged care workers (including support services for health or aged care, such as cleaners, cooks and security providers) must be tested once every three days in order to be allowed to go to work outside their LGA.
    • These surveillance testing requirements will be enforceable from Saturday, 31 July. However, relevant workers will have from Wednesday, 28 July to get their first test.
  • Year 12 students are also set to return to face-to-face learning on Monday, 16 August, with the Government finalising plans for the resumption of in-class study under strict COVID protocols.
  • The NSW Government is also working with industry and the Department of Education to introduce Rapid Antigen Testing to mitigate against outbreaks in workplaces and schools.
 
MAJOR JOBSAVER BOOST TO EXPAND COVID-19 SUPPORT
 
  • The joint NSW Government and Commonwealth JobSaver program will be significantly boosted to give greater support to businesses and individuals impacted by the extended lockdown.
  • JobSaver payments will now be available to businesses with an annual turnover of between $75,000 and $250 million, up from $50 million, which have experienced a revenue decline of 30 per cent or more.
  • The maximum weekly payment has also been substantially increased, with employing businesses that maintain their employee headcount now able receive between $1,500 and $100,000 per week, up from $10,000, with payments based on 40 per cent of their weekly NSW payroll.
  • Businesses can expect to receive funds in their accounts within five to ten business days from their approval date, and the arrangements announced this week will be backdated, so businesses that have already received a first payment on previous settings will be topped up when their next payment is made.
  • JobSaver payments are available from week four of the lockdown. Non-employing business remain eligible for a maximum of $1,000 per week.
  • For more information on COVID-19 support available, visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/2021-covid-19-support-package.
 
NEW POWERS, NEW FINES AS POLICE CRACK DOWN ON NON-COMPLIANCE
 
  • A new high-visibility policing operation has been launched to assist the state’s health strategy to tackle the further spread of the COVID-19 Delta strain.
  • Thousands of police officers will be deployed across Greater Sydney from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command and general duties to enforce the following new rules as well as protect the wider community from the selfish and unauthorised behaviour of a small number of individuals:
    • New powers have been granted to the NSW Police Commissioner to shut down businesses, construction sites and public premises where there is a risk to public health; and
    • The penalty for not wearing a mask where required will be increased from $200 to $500.
  • From 12.01am on Friday, 30 July 2021, residents of the eight Local Government Areas of concern (Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool and Parramatta) will be subject to new exercise, mask and shopping rules. These rules will only be applied to any LGA that is determined to be of concern now and into the future:
    • Exercise, outdoor recreation and singles bubble visits must be done within 5kms of the person’s home;
    • Individuals cannot travel more than 5kms from home for shopping, unless the goods or services are not readily available in that area; and
    • Masks must be worn at all times outside the home regardless of proximity to others.
  • Police will significantly ramp up compliance activities with officers performing an extra 1000 shifts throughout the next week.
  • For the latest information visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
  • To report individuals or businesses in contravention of a public health order visit nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
 
GREATER SYDNEY CONSTRUCTION TO REOPEN THIS WEEK
 
  • Construction will resume in Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour on Saturday, 31 July, with safety measures such as controls on movements between sites, reduced contact between workers within sites, improved tracing capability and a focus on encouraging workers to get vaccinated.
  • Works in occupied premises including residential homes can also resume from this Saturday where there is zero contact between workers and residents. There will be a limit of up to two workers for indoor services and five workers for outdoor services, and works will only be possible where it is feasible for residents to vacate the area. If contactless arrangements are not possible, work cannot go ahead.
  • Construction will not resume in the eight LGAs of concern. However, businesses in those LGAs which are part of the construction supply chain will be permitted to operate. Construction supply chain workers will be added to the authorised workers list and will be allowed to leave their local area for work, subject to meeting COVID-19 surveillance testing requirements. This includes workers engaged in manufacturing of construction materials, plant and components.
  • As part of the plan to reopen construction, worksites will be able to operate on Sundays and public holidays for the remainder of the year, up until Christmas, to make up for any time lost.
 
FREE OF CHARGE ADVICE FOR BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY LOCKDOWN
 
  • Small businesses affected by the current COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions are encouraged to seek free-of-charge advice from the NSW Government’s business advisory service Business Connect.
  • Business Connect had advisors across the state who were ready to help businesses navigate the current situation.
  • All Business Connect advisors have previously owned small businesses and they can advise business owners on ways to make it through this health pandemic and plan for the future. All advice provided is free of charge if it relates to COVID-19.
  • Business Connect can also assist medium enterprises and in some circumstances, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations, if eligible.
  • For more on Business Connect visit www.nsw.gov.au/businessconnect.
  • For more information on the support measures for businesses visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/covid-19-help-businesses.
 
HUNDREDS OF HOMELESS GIVEN ACCOMMODATION
 
  • More than 700 people who were sleeping rough across NSW have been helped into temporary accommodation during the lockdown to keep them safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  • The NSW Government has committed $22.3 million for temporary accommodation to support people sleeping rough during the latest outbreak.
  • The recently announced expansion of Together Home will support more permanent housing solutions for people currently in temporary accommodation.
  • The NSW Government has also committed an additional $10 million for rent assistance packages to help victims of domestic violence and young people secure or maintain housing in the private rental market.
  • Anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness can call Link2home on 1800 152 152. Staff are available 24-7 to provide information and referrals to services, including temporary accommodation.
 
AGRICULTURAL EXEMPTION SECURED FOR QUEENSLAND HARD BORDER
 
  • Agricultural workers from both states who meet specific requirements can now travel across the border anywhere in NSW and Queensland, by road or air.
  • There are strict conditions under the exemption which workers must meet before crossing the border, including the need to provide evidence of their employment or contract, property ownership, lease or agistment arrangements.
  • Agricultural workers wanting to cross into Queensland will need to provide evidence they have already unsuccessfully attempted to source the skills from a non-hotspot in another state or territory, or that it is too costly or time prohibitive.
  • Those travelling or returning to NSW from Queensland will be required to complete an online declaration once every three days.
  • The list of requirements for crossing the border under the class exemption are available at www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/coronavirus-support/border-restrictions-agriculture.
  • Rules and restrictions apply if you have been in an affected area, area of concern or a place of high concern, and are entering NSW.
 
MORE SUPPORT FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE
 
  • Hundreds of people will be supported to secure or maintain housing in the private rental market as part of a $12.5 million NSW Government support package.
  • $10 million would support 990 private rental assistance packages, with a focus on individuals and families escaping domestic violence and young people aged 16-24 years old.
  • More information about housing and homelessness support is available at www.coronavirus.dcj.nsw.gov.au/services/housing-and-homelessness.
 
COUNCIL RATES RELIEF FOR BUSHFIRE VICTIMS EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS
 
  • The NSW Government is continuing to support victims of the devastating 2019-20 bushfires, announcing $2.5 million to fund another six months of council rate relief for those who lost their main properties.
  • Council rate relief has been extended for a further six months for people whose main property was significantly damaged or destroyed by bushfires, if it has not yet been rebuilt or changed ownership.
  • The extension comes after more than $5.4 million in council rate relief has already been provided to over 3,300 property owners to reduce the financial burden on bushfire victims as they rebuild their lives.
  • Funding has been paid directly to 34 local councils which means eligible ratepayers don’t have to pay anything and it does not cost local government anything to support these property owners.
  • The additional rate relief will cover the second half of the 2020-21 rates period, recognising that some owners are still in the process of recovering and rebuilding their properties.
 
FIRST FIFTY DEVELOPERS TO BE RISK RATED USING NEW TOOL
 
  • Developers will soon be able to have their projects risk-rated using a brand new digital tool, backed by the NSW Government, providing consumers, financiers and insurers with independent data to make more informed decisions.
  • The ratings tool, created by Equifax and known as iCIRT, pulls together key data endorsed by NSW Fair Trading to demonstrate the character, capability and capital of each developer. It considers credit ratings, the relationships between development counterparties, the entity’s history in corporate dealings and nominated directors.
  • Housing projects in NSW will then be rated from one to five stars to help consumers make that all important decision about who to buy from.
  • Developers will be encouraged to publically display the rating for the specific entity responsible for each project on their websites and consumer facing materials.

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