Changes to COVID rules across the state have come into force from Monday including the new 5km rule which is causing some confusion. 



The new rule, which came into effect at midnight Monday morning, has left many scratching their heads as to how exactly it works and what does it mean for people in regional areas particularly those who need to travel for essential supplies.

According to the NSW Government, in Greater Sydney and other lockdown areas (which is now all of NSW), the 10-kilometre rule was reduced to 5km from 12.01am Monday, August 16.

"Shopping, exercise and outdoor recreation are to be done in a person’s local government area (LGA ie the City of Lismore) or, if outside their LGA, within 5 kilometres of home."

This has caused a lot of confusion so to break it down here's what you need to know:

Does it apply to me? 

Simply - yes. The 5km rule applies to all of NSW.

Where is my LGA?

For the City of Lismore, you should think anywhere with a 2480 postcode so from Nimbin to Larnook and Clunes to Wyrallah.

You can travel anywhere within your LGA but are restricted to a 5km radius if outside. So, if you live in Alstonville/Wollongbar you have a 5km radius to come into the Lismore LGA which means Goonellabah and Lismore CBD are out of bounds but within your own LGA Ballina is ok to travel to.

As you can see from the map below, this the same scenario for Casino, Kyogle and Bangalow.

What if I can not access supermarkets etc within 5km of my residence? 

There is flexibility for this however it needs to be that the services are not available in your LGA, not out of choice. 

Regional and rural residents who have to travel to shop will be allowed to. However, if you are choosing to travel more than 5Km to access a shop of preference when services are located in your LGA then no you must not travel. 

If you live on the edge of a council area, such as Wollongbar/Alstonville, then you are permitted to enter the other local government area up to 5kms from your home for exercise or for essential shopping.

Is it a 5km radius or by road distance? 

It is within a 5km radius of your house - so as the crow flies

Can I travel more than 5Km for essential work? 

Yes, the restrictions are for shopping and exercise however all work where possible should be done from home. If you need to travel through LGAs for essential work it's best to have an essential workers letter from your employer. 

Along with the change to distances, there are a few other changes that have come into play including:

Fines have increased

According to the Government, increased fines for Public Health Order breaches from 12.01am, Monday, 16 August are:  

• $5,000 on the spot fine for breaching self-isolation rules;
• $5,000 on the spot fine for lying on a permit (already a criminal offence);
• $5,000 on the spot fine for lying to a contact tracer (already a criminal offence);
• $3,000 on the spot fine for breaching the two person outdoor exercise/recreation rule; and
• $3,000 on the spot fine for breaching rules around entry into regional NSW for authorised work, inspecting real estate and travelling to your second home.
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“The increased fines and heightened police presence are about ensuring people who are doing the wrong thing are caught and punished appropriately,” NSW Gladys Berejiklian said.

You must carry ID on you. 

From today you must have your ID on you at all times to show your residential address. 

For most the rules are fairly clear however there are still some common questions that you may not know the answer to?

Do I need a mask everywhere? 

Anyone who leaves their home must carry a mask with them at all times. They must be worn when working outdoors, by all school staff, by all people in outdoor markets, outdoor shopping strips, and in an outdoor queue, waiting for products such as coffee and food.

Do I have to register my single bubble person?

No - that is only for the suburbs of concern in Sydney however, the Government requests singles only nominate one person in their bubble as too many people have been using this as a loophole. 

What is the isolation payment?

It is a one-off $320 payment for people who are forced to get tested and isolate, unfortunately, at this stage, this payment is not available for residents in regional areas. 

Why has the Government done this? 

Essentially to further limit peoples movements and tighten 'loopholes'. 

“We’ve had to tighten the current public health orders because of the minority who exploited them. Enough is enough. If you do it, you will get fined,” Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said.

Under the current health orders, everyone must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave.

And in case you need it...here's a recap of the rules:

You also cannot have visitors to your home from outside your household, including family and friends.

People still can have one visitor at one time to fulfil carers' responsibilities or provide care or assistance, including essential childcare, or for compassionate reasons, including where two people are in a relationship but do not live together.

All hospitality venues must be closed to the public, including pubs, restaurants and cafes, except for takeaway.

Retail premises are required to close except for:

• supermarkets and grocery shops,
• shops that predominantly sell food or drinks eg butchers, bakeries, fruit shops and delicatessens, but does not include restaurants or cafes.
• chemists and pharmacies,
• kiosks
• shops that predominately sell office supplies, pet supplies, newspapers, magazines and stationery, alcohol, maternity and baby supplies, medical or pharmaceutical supplies
• food and drink premises, but only to sell takeaway
• cellar door premises, but only to sell takeaway
• hardware and building supplies
• landscaping material supplies
• rural supplies
• timber yards
• garden centres and plant nurseries,
• vehicle hire premises, not including the premises at which vehicles are sold,
• shops that predominately carry out mobile phone repairs.

Service stations, banks, post offices, laundromats and dry cleaners can remain open.

Additionally from today, weddings can not go ahead and funerals and memorial services are limited to 10 people.  

A large scale police operation - Operation Stay-At-Home - also commences today with NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller saying more police will be visible in all areas of NSW.

“These are some of the strongest powers we’ve ever had in the history of the NSW Police Force, as part of the government’s strategy to get in front of the virus in the coming weeks – it’s all about getting ahead of Delta, not chasing it,” Commissioner Fuller said.

“From this week we’ll be issuing $5,000 fines to people and closing premises which continue to break the health orders. Don’t complain if this happens to you – police are over the rule breakers.”