NSW DPI: COVID-19 Update

Reopening Updated Information for Industry and Businesses
 

As NSW starts to reopen this week having reached the 70 per cent double vaccination target, the new Public Health Order  introduces significant changes to the COVID-19 controls in place.  


Changes from Monday 11th October include:  
 

  • No part of NSW is subject to stay-at-home orders. Areas can be made stay-at-home areas in future amendments of the Order, depending on the COVID-19 situation. There are no longer Local Government Areas of Concern and no identified Authorised Workers categories. The mandatory vaccination, testing and permit requirements for Authorised Workers leaving Local Government Areas of Concern no longer apply. 
  • A worker living in Greater Sydney, including Wollongong and the Blue Mountains, travelling more than 50km outside of Greater Sydney for work, will no longer need to register their travel or be tested on a seven day rolling basis. 
  • The NSW Government is following the NSW Health advice and is not mandating vaccinations for primary industries businesses. Individual primary industry businesses will need to decide if they mandate vaccinations for workers. Everyone in NSW aged 12 years and over is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.   
  • Outside of Greater Sydney, a person who is attending a premises for the purpose of work, who has only had one vaccination dose, can do so until 1 November. 
  • Employers must allow an employee who is fully vaccinated to work at their place of residence if it is reasonably practicable to do so. 
  • Employers in Greater Sydney must require an employee who is not fully vaccinated to work at the employee’s place of residence unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so. For employers in regional NSW this requirement will commence on 1 November.
  • QR Codes continue to be a requirement on occupiers of premises. 
  • Masks must be worn by any person who is over 12 at indoor areas of premises other than a place of residence. This includes carpooling. Medical exemptions from wearing a mask continue to apply and individuals are required to carry evidence that lists the illness or condition and produce it for inspection by a police officer if requested. 
  • Masks can be removed and replaced for the usual reasons including safety reasons, eating and drinking and where clear enunciation is required. 
  • Travel between Greater Sydney and regional NSW for the purpose of undertaking recreation is not permitted. 


Border Crossing  

We encourage industry to stay across the latest advice, and testing and vaccination requirements for entering other states and territories, by visiting the website for the state or territory you will be travelling to. Links to other state and territory webpages can be found on NSW DPI’s COVID  webpage. 


Victoria  

There have been changes to the categorisation of risk zones for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory which make travelers eligible for orange zone permits. They must isolate on arrival in Victoria, get tested within 72 hours, and stay isolated until they receive a negative result.  

More advice on the Victorian Travel Permit System  can be found on the Victorian Government Website. 


Queensland  

The mandated first vaccination deadline for freight and logistics operators, including contract harvest operations entering or re-entering Queensland using an F Pass is 1am, 15 October 2021. More details can be found on the Qld Government webpage. 


Helpful Contacts


To find out more information contact  
 

 

 

 

This news article was published on 22 March 2019.