THE Easter long weekend and school holidays might usually be cause for a celebration or holiday, but be warned this year is very different.
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During the past few weeks NSW Police officers have issued 11 court attendance notice and 136 penalty infringements to people for leaving their home without good reason.
If it's left you wondering whether you can go outside to exercise, go to the supermarket, pick up pet supplies or catch up with friends, then read on.
Specific coronavirus updates to the Public Health Act make it an offence for NSW residents to leave their home except in specific circumstances.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said 'going for a drive' was not considered a reasonable excuse for leaving your home, despite civil libertarians saying the act was of negligible community risk.
Acceptable reasons to leave your home
In order to clarify just what is and isn't allowed, the government has a list of what they will accept as a "reasonable excuse", these include:
- Obtaining food or other goods or services for the personal needs of the household or other household purposes (including for pets) and for vulnerable people
- Travelling for work, if you can't work from home
- Travelling for childcare (including picking up or dropping another person at childcare)
- Travelling to attend school or other educational institutions, if the person attending cannot learn from home
- Exercising
- Obtaining medical care or supplies or health supplies or fulfilling carer's responsibilities
- Attending a wedding, but no more than five people are allowed (including the person conducting the service)
- Attending a funeral, but no more than 10 people are allowed (including the person conducting the service)
- Moving to a new place of residence (including a business moving to new premises) or between different places of residence of the person or inspecting a potential new place of residence
- Providing care or assistance (including personal care) to a vulnerable person or providing emergency assistance
- Donating blood
- Undertaking any legal obligations
- Accessing public services (these can be to government, private or non-government organisations). These can include: social, employment, domestic violence and mental health services; as well as services provided to victims (including as victims of crime)
- For children who do not live in the same household as their parents or siblings or one of their parents or siblings-continuing existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children or siblings
- A priest, minister of religion or member of a religious order may go to their place of worship or provide pastoral care to another person
- If you need to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm
- For emergencies or compassionate reasons
What is the two-person limit?
Social gatherings are limited to a maximum of two people at indoor and outdoor settings.
However, the limit does not apply to members of the same household. As an example your family of five may drive to the park to walk your dog together.
This rule also does not apply for gatherings essential for work or education.
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Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
