If you leave your home without a reasonable excuse, you could be subject to an $11,000 fine, under new restrictions brought in today.

The NSW Government public health order (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement Order 2020) is intended to reduce the spread of Covid-19 infection. 

It means that you must stay at home unless you are going to work (where you can’t work remotely), to school, shopping, to get medical care or supplies, or to exercise.

You are also allowed to leave home to avoid injury or illness or escape a risk of harm;

deal with emergencies or on compassionate grounds;

access childcare;

provide care or assistance (including personal care) to a vulnerable person or to provide emergency assistance;

attend a wedding or funeral (subject to 5 and 10 person limits);

move to a new place of residence, or between your different places of residence;

donate blood;

and undertake legal obligations.

You are also allowed to access social services, employment services, services provided to victims (including as victims of crime), domestic violence services, and mental health services.

Parents can also continue existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children for children who do not live in the same household as their parents or one of their parents.

You may leave your house if needed in your role as a volunteer for a charity.

The maximum penalty for breaching the public health order is $11,000, or imprisonment for 6 months, or both – and a further $5500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues.

The NSW Police may also issue on-the-spot fines of $1000 for an offence.

In the case of any corporation, the maximum penalty is $55,000 and a further $27,500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues.

A two person gathering rule is also in place for public spaces, except for gatherings with members of the same household.

Your place of residence is not considered a public place.

This public gathering rule does not apply to a gathering for work purposes;

for a wedding or funeral (which are subject to 5 and 10 person limits);

to facilitate a move to a new place of residence;

to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person;

to provide emergency assistance, or;

which is an essential gathering described below.

Foodbanks and homeless shelters have not been closed under the orders.

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