Category: NSW News

Two new NSW Health vaccination centres have opened their doors this morning, boosting the NSW Government’s contribution to the Federal Government’s vaccine rollout.
The growing number of NSW Health sites complements the GP Network, which has and will continue to deliver the majority of COVID-19 vaccines across NSW.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the opening of these centres was another important milestone as NSW Health works towards vaccinating up to 200,000 people each week, if sufficient vaccine supply becomes available.
“The new centres are an important addition to the vaccine rollout and add to the more than 100 NSW Health vaccination clinics and outreach locations across the state,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The mass vaccination centre in Belmont, Lake Macquarie, which has been transformed from an old Bunnings Warehouse into a vaccine centre in six weeks, began administering jabs this morning.
The centre will have capacity to administer up to 20,000 Pfizer vaccinations each week and will employ around 100 nurses, 25 pharmacists/pharmacy technicians, and around 200 other support staff.
The new vaccination clinic on Pitt Street in the Sydney CBD also began administering vaccines this morning, and has capacity to administer up to 7,000 Pfizer vaccinations each week.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said NSW Health has worked incredibly hard to turn these vaccine centres around within weeks.
“I would like to thank our NSW Health team and the hundreds of nurses, pharmacists/pharmacy technicians and support staff who are ensuring thousands of people receive their vaccine each day,” Mr Hazzard said.
Mass vaccination centres at Macquarie Fields in Sydney’s south-west and Wollongong are set to open in the coming weeks.
To check your eligibility and book an appointment use the  vaccine eligibility checker:
https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility

Police attached to the hotel quarantine operation were notified of an alleged breach of the Public Health Order (Covid-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) at a hotel on Sussex Street, Sydney, about 8.45pm on Friday (16 July 2021).
Following inquiries, a 46-year-old woman was issued a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice for not wear face covering yesterday (Sunday 18 July 2021).
NSW Police assisted Australian Border Force with the transfer of the woman to Sydney International Airport this afternoon (Monday 19 July 2021), following the cancellation of her visa, departing to the United Kingdom.
 

From tomorrow, eligible NSW businesses, sole traders and not-for-profit organisations will be able to apply for up to $15,000 from the first of the NSW Government’s economic support packages: The 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grant.
Applications for the second tranche of assistance, which includes the Micro Business Support Grants and the JobSaver program, will open from Monday, July 26.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said over $4 billion had been directed by the NSW Government to where it is needed most to help families and businesses during this difficult time.
“From the outset of the pandemic we’ve always said we would do whatever was necessary to protect people and jobs and this suite of measures will do exactly that,” Mr Perrottet said.
“These programs will provide timely and targeted support for businesses to help them with much needed cash flow, maintain employees and provide relief for business expenses, for which no other government support is available.
“We’re committed to keeping businesses in business, and people in jobs which is why we’re providing tax-free grants of between $7,500 and $15,000 to help alleviate some of the economic pressures being faced during the current COVID-19 lockdown.”
The 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grant will be available to NSW businesses that have a turnover of more than $75,000 and up to $50 million, and have a total annual wages bill of below $10 million.
Businesses can expect to start receiving funds from the Business Support Grant from the end of July.
Eligible businesses for the 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grant will receive:

• $15,000 for a decline in turnover of 70 per cent, or more;
• $10,500 for a decline in turnover of 50 per cent, or more;
• $7,500 for a decline in turnover of 30 per cent, or more.

Minister for Digital and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the digital application process would be available for business owners through Service NSW.
“The digital architecture is already in place to deliver these grants into the bank accounts of the businesses in need as quickly and as seamlessly as possible,” Mr Dominello said.
“Applying businesses will use the same quick and easy online application tool as previous grants, which saw 97 per cent of users give the process a thumbs up.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said small businesses were the backbone of the State’s economy, representing more than 98 per cent of businesses in NSW.
“It’s imperative that every effort is made to safeguard our businesses, no matter the size; we want to keep businesses thriving, whilst keeping our community safe”, Mr Tudehope said.
“From Monday, businesses, sole traders or not-for-profit organisations across NSW impacted by the public health restrictions may be eligible for grants of up to $15,000.”
From July 26, the Micro Business Support Grant will be available for eligible businesses with a turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 that experience a decline in turnover of 30 per cent or more. Eligible businesses will receive $1,500, tax-free, per fortnight of restrictions.
In addition, the joint NSW Government and Commonwealth JobSaver program will help small and medium businesses retain staff.
Eligible businesses with a turnover from $75,000 and up to $50 million who maintain their staff headcount will receive tax-free fortnightly payments of 40 per cent of their weekly payroll, with a minimum payment of $1,500 per week, and a maximum payment of $10,000 per week. Eligible non-employing businesses will receive $1,000 per week. These payments will also be made fortnightly.
For more information on the 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants visit: www.nsw.gov.au.
Support for individuals impacted by the current COVID-19 restrictions and stay-at-home orders is available through Services Australia. For more information visit: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/covid19.

Given the number of infectious cases in the community, the following changes will be made to further limit the spread of the COVID-19 Delta strain.
On the basis of updated health advice, the following changes come into effect across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour until 11.59pm on Friday, 30 July:
From 11.59pm on Saturday, 17 July:

• Retail premises will be required to close (‘click and collect’, takeaway and home delivery can still operate), except the following can remain open:
  • Supermarkets and grocery stores (including butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable stores, liquor stores and fishmongers);
  • Stores that predominantly sell health, medical, maternity and infant supplies;
  • Pharmacies and chemists;
  • Petrol stations;
  • Car hire;
  • Banks and financial institutions;
  • Hardware, nurseries and building supplies;
  • Agricultural and rural supplies;
  • Pet supplies;
  • Post offices and newsagents; and
  • Office supplies.
• In addition to the stay-at-home rules, residents of Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool LGAs cannot leave their LGA for work except for emergency services and healthcare workers (including aged and disability workers). Where those workers do need to leave their LGA for work, they are required to be tested every three days, even if they do not have symptoms;
• Anyone who leaves the home must have a mask with them at all times. They must be worn when you are working outdoors, in outdoor markets, outdoor shopping strips, and in an outdoor queues waiting for products such as coffee and food; and
• All carpooling to be stopped unless among members of the same household.

From 12.01am on Monday, 19 July:

• All construction to be paused; and
• Non-urgent maintenance, including cleaning services, and repair work on residential premises to be paused.

From 12.01am on Wednesday, 21 July:

• Employers must allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so, failure to do so can result in a fine of up to $10,000.

We are constantly reviewing the health advice and will continue to update the community if any changes are required.
All other restrictions currently in place across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour will remain in place.
These decisions have not been made lightly and we understand this is a difficult time for the community and appreciate their ongoing patience.
It is vital people continue to come forward for testing to help us find any COVID-19 cases in the community.
Restrictions in regional NSW remain unchanged.
For the latest information visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

COVID-19 FIGHTING FUND TO PROTECT BUSINESSES, SAVE JOBS AND SUPPORT NSW THROUGH LOCKDOWN

• The NSW Government announced a comprehensive economic support package worth billions of dollars aimed at helping businesses and people right across the state fight through the current COVID-19 lockdown.
• The commitment will now be up to $5.1 billion, including more than $1 billion from the Commonwealth as part of a business and employee support program.
• For more information on the $5.1 billion support package visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

TEACHER VACCINATIONS PRIORITISED IN SOUTH WESTERN SYDNEY

• More than 10,000 teachers and school staff in South Western Sydney’s areas of COVID concern will have priority access to the vaccine rollout.
• A vaccine hub will begin operating at Fairfield Showground this Friday, 16 July to vaccinate teachers and aged care workers.
• Eligible staff will be issued links to access a vaccine appointment and they will need to provide proof of employment when they arrive for their vaccination.

EXPANDED COVID-SAFE CHECK-IN MANDATE TAKES EFFECT

• Customers and businesses are reminded that the use of the NSW Government’s COVID-Safe Check-In will be mandatory at most workplaces and retail businesses in the State.
• Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said check-in information from these additional venues is critical to support the work of NSW Health contact tracing teams in the fight against the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19.
• More information regarding the expanded COVID-Safe Check In mandate including affected businesses and industries can be found on nsw.gov.au.
• Businesses who need to register for the NSW Government QR code can find the application form and more information at https://www.nsw.gov.au/register-your-business-as-covid-safe
• For those without a digital device, businesses must provide a tablet or other device to assist customers complete the online check in form.

SUPPORT FOR COMMERCIAL TENANTS AND LANDLORDS UNDER COVID FIGHTING FUND

• Eligible commercial tenants and landlords will receive greater support and certainty during the current restrictions with the NSW Government acting quickly to implement the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 as part of the $5.1 billion COVID-19 economic support package.
• Commercial and retail landlords will be required to attempt mediation before taking certain actions, such as recovering a security bond, locking out or eviction against a tenant impacted by the Public Health Orders.
• For more information on mediation support and the Small Business Commission visit: https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/

NSW GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR RENTERS AND LANDLORDS

• The NSW Government has announced new support for renters and landlords impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown, including up to $210 million in grants to eligible landlords.
• Residential tenants will have greater protection with a targeted eviction moratorium, which will be implemented through legislative changes.

SUPPLY DROP FOR SCHOOLS AS TERM 3 BEGINS

• More than a thousand schools now have access to extra equipment to assist online learning for the start of Term 3.
• Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said a major operation has been undertaken so that thousands of devices and supplies are available for schools across the state.

RELIGIOUS AND MULTICULTURAL LEADERS THANKED FOR DELIVERING MESSAGE

• Religious and community leaders are being thanked by the NSW Government for helping deliver the crucial stay at home message to our multicultural community.
• Minister for Multiculturalism Natalie Ward said there is overwhelming support to ensure everyone is aware of the public health orders.
• For more resources in your language, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/resources-other-languages

LOCKDOWN LIFELINE: MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR NSW

• People in mandatory isolation will have access to around the clock wellbeing and mental health support and there will be increased access to services for parents, young people and multicultural communities who are struggling during the lockdown.
• As part of a joint Commonwealth and NSW Government package worth $17.35 million, NSW will provide $5.1m for a range of mental health services across NSW.

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If you are in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact emergency services on Triple Zero (000).
DRIVERS REMINDED TO SLOW DOWN IN SCHOOL ZONES

• Drivers are being reminded to slow down and take extra care with school zones back in force across New South Wales.
• Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said while most students in Greater Sydney are learning from home this week, schools remain open for those who need to attend and school zones are still enforced from the first day of term.

Three removalists who allegedly had knowledge they were COVID positive before travelling from metropolitan Sydney to regional NSW are among the latest people to breach the Public Health Order in the past 24 hours.
Just after 2.30pm yesterday (Friday 16 July 2021), officers from Central West Police District attended Speedy Street, Molong, and spoke with four men – aged 21, 49 and two aged 27 – after receiving information they had travelled there from West Hoxton.
Police established the men, who were working as removalists, had travelled from West Hoxton to Figtree, before travelling to Molong, stopping in regional areas including South Bowenfels and Orange along the way.
It will be alleged three of the men travelled to Molong after being notified they had tested positive to COVID-19.
Police escorted all the men and their vehicles back to Greater Sydney where they have been instructed to isolate for 14-days.
The younger three men were issued Court Attendance Notices for not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott was troubled by this significant breach of the Public Health Orders.
“This thoughtless act has now placed our regional communities in NSW at the greatest risk so far with this pandemic,” Mr Elliott said.
“We know that the delta variant is highly transmissible, and it is unfathomable to think that, with all the public information and health warnings, people could so blatantly ignore the health orders.”
State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, said police will be increasing their response to ensure public safety is the number one priority.
“Currently, we are seeing millions of people right across this state doing the right thing being let down by a small minority who continue to be irresponsible and put themselves and their communities at risk,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
“Today’s strengthening of the health orders means that people will have to change the way that they behave.
“The greater restrictions will see police ramping up our response across all of greater Sydney and regional areas to ensure people comply with the health orders and that public safety is the number one priority,” he said.
In total, police have issued 162 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) and charged 18 people for breaches of the Public Health Act in the past 24 hours.
Police attended more than 1,000 COVID-related jobs yesterday, with about 630 of those coming from reports to Crime Stoppers.
Incidents of note in Greater Sydney includes:

• A 25-year-old man who worked in an aged care facility in south-western Sydney and had been informed that he had tested positive to COVID-19 and was directed to stay-at-home. About 10.30pm (Friday 16 July 2021), officers from the North West Region Operations Support Group discovered the man had left his Mr Druitt home and travelled by car to Blacktown to buy dumbbell weights. The man has since been issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction – individual.

Other incidents of note in regional NSW includes:

• Just before 11am (Friday 16 July 2021), officers attached to Tenterfield Traffic and Highway Patrol were conducting patrols when they stopped a Mitsubishi Lancer on the New England Highway, south of Guyra, and spoke to the driver, a 20-year-old man, and his male passenger. Inquiries revealed they were from Knawal and Charmhaven on the Central Coast and they were each issued $1000 PINs. Inquiries are continuing.

• About 6.20pm (Friday 16 July 2021), officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District observed a grey Audi sedan travelling at speed on the Pacific Highway, Doyalson. Police stopped the car on Scenic Drive and spoke to the driver, a 27-year-old man, and a male passenger, also aged 27. Following inquiries, both men were issued a $1000 PIN for not complying with current health orders as they do not reside in the same household and did not have a reasonable excuse to leave their homes.

• At 12.40am today (Saturday 17 July 2021), police spoke to a man who was asleep in the rear of a white Volkswagen Tiguan on Booner Street, Hawks Nest. The 60-year-old man said he travelled from his Turramurra home to the area for some peace and quiet. After being reminded of the current stay-at-home order, he was issued a $1000 PIN before being directed to return home via the most direct route.

The NSW Government is providing targeted support for the state’s accommodation sector to ease the pain of lost bookings over the winter school holiday period.
The cash-flow boosting funding will enable eligible accommodation premises that have lost room nights between 25 June and 11 July inclusive to apply for grants up to $5,000.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said this $26 million initiative was critically important for accommodation providers with occupancy rates plummeting over the past month.
“It is heartbreaking that this recent outbreak of COVID-19 occurred right on the cusp of the winter school holidays, meaning Sydneysiders, NSW residents and interstate visitors were not able to fulfil their travel plans across the State,” Mr Ayres said.
“The sector has reported a dramatic decline in occupancy rates, with some Sydney properties reporting only two per cent occupancy in July 2021.
“This program is for all eligible accommodation premises across NSW, as the current restrictions not only affect Greater Sydney operators but also those in regional NSW who lost their main source market from metropolitan Sydney or interstate.
“There are more than 38,000 accommodation providers in NSW – from hotels and motels to holiday home rentals. I encourage all businesses to look at the Service NSW website for more information – including detailed eligibility criteria – as it’s published in the coming weeks.”
“The $5.1 billion support package, including up to $4.1 billion from the State Government, announced by the Prime Minister, NSW Premier and NSW Treasurer yesterday will come as a huge relief to many businesses involved in the State’s visitor economy, allowing them to keep staff on and doors open in preparation for our recovery.
“Now it is up to all of us to stop the spread of the virus so we can get back to travelling and enjoying our state’s experiences and attractions as soon as possible, which is what businesses really need.”
There will be two tiers of grants available to accommodation premises through the initiative:
– Tier 1: For accommodation premises that have had a cancellation of 10 room nights or less, there is a grant of $2,000
– Tier 2: For accommodation premises that have had a cancellation of 11 room nights or more, there is a grant of $5,000
To be eligible, businesses must be registered for GST and/or hold an ABN, be located in NSW and the accommodation premises must be an entire property, i.e. not holiday letting of a spare room in a residence.
Where an owner/operator owns multiple accommodation premises (identifiable by differentiated street addresses), each accommodation premises is eligible for the grant.
Accommodation providers can apply for this grant and other support measures such as the COVID-19 Business Grant and business and employee support program. Details of all support initiatives are available on the Service NSW website.

The Morrison Government will provide additional support for New South Wales by allowing childcare services to waive gap-fees for parents keeping their children at home due to current COVID-19 restrictions.
Under current NSW restrictions child care services can remain open to provide care for those who need it, but we know that many parents choose to keep their children home.
From Monday July 19, childcare centres in New South Wales Local Government Areas subject to stay at home orders can waive gap-fees on the days that parents choose to keep their children at home. The gap fee is the difference between the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) the Government pays to a service and the remaining fee paid by the family.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said around 216,000 families across Greater Sydney that access childcare services could benefit from this measure.
“When gap-fees are waived families will not have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for those days that their children are at home during the current stay at home period,” the Prime Minister said.
“This is another measure that will make life easier for many families in Greater Sydney during these challenging times.
“This adds to the significant financial support we have already announced in conjunction with the NSW Government to back families and businesses, and provide additional mental health support.”
Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said many in the sector had been asking for this change and were expected to offer the gap-fee waiver.
“This opt-in measure ensures children remain enrolled in care and the Commonwealth childcare subsidy continues to flow to the centre, providing a valuable, stable and certain source of revenue during this time,” Minister Tudge said.
“Previous lockdowns show that even when child care remains open, there is an understandably strong preference to keep kids at home.
“We are easing some of the pressure on families and encouraging them to keep their children enrolled, guaranteeing the continued flow of child care subsidy to service providers.
“Importantly, this means providers can keep their staff employed so business can continue as usual when the stay at home orders end.
“Today’s decision will also support Outside School Hours Care sector, which is under particular pressure while school students are learning from home.”
The measure builds on the existing gap fee waiver that is currently in place until 31 December 2021, where gap fees can be waived if a service is directed to close due to public health advice.
Families experiencing a loss of income, such as casual workers or those in self-isolation, may also be eligible for support through the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship).
The Morrison Government has committed around $3 billion to support the early childhood education and care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Local Government Areas are: Bayside, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Liverpool, Mosman, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith, Randwick, Ryde, Shellharbour, Strathfield, Sutherland Shire, Sydney, The Hills Shire, Waverley, Willoughby, Wollondilly, Wollongong and Woollahra.

The NSW Government has welcomed new support measures announced by the Federal Government for Early Childhood Education services impacted by stay at home orders in Greater Sydney.
The Federal Government will waive gap-fees on days that parents and carers choose to keep their children at home.
Families receive a Commonwealth Child Care Subsidy (CCS) based on their needs. The gap-fee is the amount families need to pay to make up the difference between their subsidy and the cost of the service.
NSW Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell welcomed the additional support and said it would bring relief to families and services during this difficult time.
“Early childhood services play a critical role in the education of our children and supporting families. They remain open for families across NSW who need their services, so it is imperative they are supported,” Ms Mitchell said.
“From Monday, more than 216,000 families will be eligible to benefit from the waiver, easing some of the pressure and making life easier over the next few weeks.
“For families, waiving the gap-fee will support them financially and remove any pressure they might feel to unenroll their children from their local service.
“Services rely on enrollments to access Commonwealth funding, so keeping children enrolled ensures funding for services continues, maintaining a reliable income during lockdown.”
Outside School Hours Care services will also benefit from the assistance.
“The NSW Government has been working with the sector to find avenues of support during the lockdown and I am pleased we are seeing results for such an important sector. It’s a win for families, providers and educators.”
The NSW Government is continuing to support young families through its $150 million free preschool program.

Eligible commercial tenants and landlords will receive greater support and certainty during the current restrictions with the NSW Government acting quickly to implement the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 as part of the $5.1 billion COVID-19 economic support package.
Commercial and retail landlords will be required to attempt mediation before taking certain actions, such as recovering a security bond, locking out or eviction against a tenant impacted by the Public Health Orders.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said this would provide certainty for businesses and landlords in this challenging time.
“One of the biggest issues right now for so many small businesses right across NSW is rent. This package says to landlords and tenants before you take any action, sit down, talk to each other and come to an agreement on what the next few weeks looks like,” Mr Tudehope said.
“It could be a payment plan, a reduction in rent, or an agreement not to take any action until restrictions end, but we all need to work together to ensure small businesses get through this lockdown and continue to create jobs, deliver vital services for local communities and power our economy forward.”
A $2 million boost to the NSW Small Business Commission will support additional staff to meet the demand for mediations and assist retail and commercial tenants and landlords.
“During the health pandemic we have seen applications for mediation increase with 2,600 applications received and approximately 90 per cent of the underlying issues resolved before or during formal mediation. The Commission is ensuring a cost-effective, timely and independent process for landlords and businesses to seek assistance on a way forward,” Mr Tudehope said.
As part of the $5.1 billion COVID-19 economic support package, commercial and retail landlords will also be eligible for payments of up to 100 per cent of their land tax owed in 2021, when they provide their tenants with at least that amount in rent reductions from July 13.
“Whether it’s direct grants, financial assistance to keep staff, payroll tax relief, or support for our vulnerable communities, our first priority is the health and safety of our local communities,” Mr Tudehope said.
“This package will help small businesses and landlords to work together to get through this challenging time.”
The Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 can be found here: Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 (nsw.gov.au)
For more information on mediation support and the Small Business Commission visit: https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/
For more information on the $5.1 billion support package visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19