In an effort to slow or halt the spread of the coronavirus, the NSW government has instituted strict rules for leaving your home. These new rules came into effect at midnight March 30 and fines of up to $11,000 may apply to those found breaking the rules. NSW police have already issued at least 13 tickets for breaking lockdown rules.
When can you leave your home in NSW?
People can leave their home for any of the following reasons:
- Travel to and from work if you cannot work from home
- Travel to and from school or an educational institution
- Shopping for food and other essentials
- Seeking medical care
- Exercise. Exercise must be solitary or with a maximum of one other person
Find and contact your nearest COVID-19 Clinic here.
In addition to the blanket reason for leaving the house, a number of more nuanced reasons are also allowed:
- Fleeing domestic violence to avoid injury or an unsafe home to avoid illness
- Dealing with an emergency or on compassionate grounds\Providing care or helping a vulnerable relative/person
- Taking your child to childcare
- Attending a wedding or funeral (adhering to a 5 or 10 person limit, respectively)
- Moving house or residence
- Donating blood
- Fulfilling legal obligations
- Accessing employment services, mental health services, etc
- Parental sharing arrangements of children
- Going to a place of worship or to provide pastoral care if you are a member of the clergy or equivalent.
In addition to these rules, NSW also has a strict policy regarding gatherings . A maximum of two people can gather (outside of direct family). This restriction includes outdoor gathering and gatherings within a home.
While these new rules and fines are currently only being enforced in NSW, Queensland and Victoria have both indicated the possibility of adding new restrictions to their lockdown rules.