Live in NSW? The latest about COVID-19

: Last Updated: 26 October 2020; Hits: 3670

Map of Australia, pins on NSW, words on a clipboard NSW COVID19 update

This is the latest COVID-19 information for people who live in New South Wales. Things do keep changing with COVID-19 and it is important to keep up to date so that you can stay safe.

If you would like to talk to someone about COVID-19 please call the Disability Information Helpline - 1800 643 787. Our Information Officers can help you find information for where you live and, for what you need. It is open Monday to Friday - 8 am to 8 pm.

We will keep this article up to date, so do check back for the latest information. (Last updated October 26)

Here is what is in this article

Current Alerts from NSW Health
How to Stay Safe
Masks and NDIS PPE Info
Testing
Going Out and Visiting People
Advice for Disability Services
Travel
School
Border Closures
Easy Read Info
More Information

Current Alerts from NSW Health

Current alerts are updated every day from NSW Health.
They list places where there has been an outbreak of COVID -19.

Self-isolate and get tested immediately

If you have been to any of these locations during the time and date indicated you should:

immediately self-isolate until 14 days after you were last there
get tested even if you have no symptoms
watch for COVID-19 symptoms and get retested should any symptoms recur
even if you get a negative test, you must stay in isolation for 14 days as it can take 14 days before you may show symptoms or test positive.

Locations as at October 26

No locations associated with a confirmed COVID-19 case and classified as a close contact within the past 14 days.

NSW Health also lists places that there is a risk of an outbreak.

Mount Druitt: Westfield Mount Druitt

Oran Park: Woolworths

People who have been to these places need to be on the lookout for COVID-19 symptoms.
As soon as they have symptoms they need to:
- get tested
- self-isolate

How to Stay Safe

Practice social distancing if you are going out
Wash your hands regularly
Cough into your sleeve or elbow
Take extra care around vulnerable people, such as the elderly or those who are unwell
If you feel unwell, stay home (except to go our for testing or urgent health needs)

Masks

Advice from July 30, is that people should consider wearing a face mask in situations where physical distancing is not possible. Wearing a mask can help protect you and those around you if you are in an area with community transmission, and physical distancing is not possible, like on public transport.

"Masks add another layer of protection to the other significant measures of physical distancing, hand hygiene, and cough etiquette," said Australian Medical Association president Dr Tony Bartone.

If you are in one of the areas listed in the Current Alerts from NSW Health, it is advisable to wear a mask if you must go to those area.
If you do have COVID19, there are strict rules about isolating, wearing masks and what you need to do.

For disability support providers who reside in South West Sydney - NSW Health currently recommends that where services are being provided both inside and outside of a residential facility (e.g. day programs), staff who reside in South West Sydney should wear a mask while providing care to residents. This will be reviewed and further guidance will be provided if this needs to continue after July. For more information about reducing the risk of COVID-19 for people receiving disability, home care or other personal care support services, please refer to Information for disability support providers.

NDIS

Participants can recover the costs to purchase PPE items using their NDIS funds.
There is also temporary measures for providers in New South Wales, to directly invoice the NDIA for PPE used when delivering face-to-face services.

NDIS COVID-19 has more details.

The Latest NSW Health Advice on Wearing Face Masks - COVID-19

Testing

If you have any of these symptoms you should get tested.

fever (37.5 ° or higher)
cough
sore/scratchy throat
shortness of breath
loss of smell or
loss of taste.

There are many places to get tested, NSW Health has a full list. New places, such as mobile or 'pop up' testing units do get added so check before you go.
We explain more about testing in COVID-19 testing for people with a disability.

Going Out and Visiting People

There are many rules about going out, and what is open. Most places have a limit on how many people can be there at one time. Plus they need to have a COVID Safe Plan. Places also need to take people's details in case there is an outbreak and they need to contact you.

NSW Health has a list of all the current rules.

For visiting people in nursing homes, hospitals or group homes, there will be extra rules. Check before you go.

When going out, plan how you will get there safely, if you need to wear a mask and if you need to book before you go. It is also a good idea to bring your own hand sanitiser if you can.

For an Easy English version link to What you need to do under new coronavirus rile from 24 July 2020 What you need to do for new coronavirus rules from July 24 PDF *We noticed an error - The Disability Information Helpline only operates Mon- Fri 8 am - 8 pm AEST.

Travel

Travel is allowed within NSW. You should not travel if you are sick. If you are using public transport try not to go in peak times. Wearing a mask is a good idea if you can not keep a 1.5-metre distance from people. Wash your hands after touching surfaces such as ticket machines, rails or buttons. Face masks are strongly recommended on public transport says Transport NSW.

COVID Safe Travel Tips

Border Closures

People from NSW can not go to Victoria, unless there are special reasons, such as work, study or compassionate grounds. You will need a border permit to do this.

The new border region and ‘border region resident’ permit came into effect on Friday, 4 September 2020.

The new permit will allow a resident within the border region to enter NSW for the following:

to obtain necessary goods or services
for care or other compassionate reasons
to attend work or obtain educational services (where it is not reasonable for the person to work or obtain educational services from their state of residence).

A border region resident who is a NSW resident:

is authorised to enter Victoria only for the reason allowed in the permit
must not travel to any part of Victoria that is outside of the border region or is a COVID-19 area of concern.

A border region resident who is a Victorian resident:

is authorised to enter and remain in NSW only for the reason allowed in the permit
must not travel to any part of NSW that is outside of the border region
must not enter NSW if the resident had travelled in Victoria in a restricted area (which is currently Greater Melbourne) or a COVID-19 area of concern in Victoria within the previous 14 days.

Learn more about border restrictions for residents and communities.

Any person entering Queensland must complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass before they enter. There are restrictions, especially for people who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot.

Find out the rules that apply for travel to and from other states and territories.

Schools

Schools are open in NSW, but with extra measures in place to keep everyone safe.

From Wednesday August 19 NSW Health requires schools to:

exclude students and staff with even mild symptoms of COVID-19
encourage immediate testing for any symptomatic children or staff
prohibit return to school for anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 until a negative COVID test result has been reported
ensure that adults maintain physical distancing at all times

See the full list of rules here.

School graduations can now go ahead.