On Sunday, state leaders and Prime Minister Scott Morrison met to determine the next stage in lockdown rules for Australia to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Rules that came into effect on 12pm on Monday 23 March in NSW have since been expanded and added to.
We'll keep this page updated as more regulations are put into effect.
Should You Stay Home?
Yes. As of Tuesday 31 March, NSW Health has issued a public health order to enforce social distancing.
Under the order, there are now 16 defined reasons you are allowed to be outside your home, that we've listed below for you guys. If you're outside without one of these reasons, you could be fined on the spot up to $11,000 or, if you're a repeat offender, up to six months jail time.
And look—it's really, really important to skip the park hangs or your morning cycle with mates and follow this advice. While some news outlets over the weekend have reported a drop in the number of reported cases per day—that rate is still exponential and it's far too early to tell if the rate will continue to drop. Lives are at risk within any age group, and the threat of untraceable community transmission is real.
If you want to get a better sense of the impact of physical distancing, perfectly, and from Youtuber 3Blue1Brown simulates a few different social distancing scenarios (using a cute pi with googly eyes).
If You Do Leave Your House, It Can Only Be For One Of These 16 Reasons:
- To go to work, if you can't work from home
- To go to school or an educational institution
- To go to the supermarket for food and other essential items
- To get medical care
- To exercise, but only if the exercise is done alone or with one other person
- If you are fleeing an unsafe home, so to avoid injury or illness
- If you are dealing with an emergency or on compassionate grounds
- If you are providing care or helping a vulnerable relative or person
- To take your child to childcare
- To attend a wedding (adhering to the five-person limit) or a funeral (adhering to a 10-person limit)
- To move house or to go between two places of residence
- To donate blood
- To fulfil legal obligations
- To access support services such as employment services, mental services etc
- To fulfil parental sharing arrangements of children (the Government says those conditions shouldn't change and children can move between homes)
- To go to a place of worship or to provide pastoral care, if you are a priest, minister or member of a religious order
What Is Now Closed?
As of Monday 30 March, the following businesses, services and public places will be closed:
- Pubs
- Clubs
- Cinemas
- Casinos
- Nightclubs
- Indoor places of worship
- Gyms
- Indoor AND outdoor sporting venues
- Skate parks
- Playgrounds
What Will Still Be Open?
Businesses that are declared as "essential services" will remain open, they include the following:
- Supermarkets
- Banks
- Petrol stations
- Pharmacies
- Convenience stores
- Freight and logistics businesses
- Food delivery services and takeaway
- Bottle shops
- One-on-one personal training
How Long Will The Shutdown Last?
The Prime Minister has declared that Australians must expect these restrictions to remain in place for a minimum of six months.
"The more we share the sacrifice, the more we do the right thing together as Australians, the more lives we will save, the more livelihoods we will be able to preserve and the stronger we will all be on the other side," he said.
Now is the time to show your love to Sydney's incredible restaurants, cafes and bars. Head over here to see our rolling list of venues offering home delivery, takeaway and gift-cards for post-corona life.
For more ways you can show your support to Sydney, head here.
Image credit: Quentin Grignet