New COVID-19 Restrictions
FAQs 24.03.2020

For a list of frequently asked questions regarding the new COVID-19 restrictions and how they might affect you and your business.

BUSINESSES AND NON-ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES 

1.What restrictions have been announced?

In line with health advice, from midday 23 March, the following non-essential activities and businesses have been temporarily shut down:

•Pubs (however licensed bottle shops attached to pubs are ok), registered clubs

•Gyms, indoor sporting venues (this includes indoor dance classes)

•Cinemas, entertainment venues (including music halls, concert halls, billiards, pool orgaming arcades), casinos and nightclubs

•Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery (drivethrough allowed)

•Religious gatherings, places of worship (excluding small weddings and funerals thatcomply with the 4m2 rule, which can proceed).

Activities and businesses that are not listed above can continue.  

2.Do existing restrictions around public gatherings still apply?

Yes. Businesses and activities that can continue must still adhere to existing restrictions on mass gatherings. That is no:

•Indoor gatherings of 100 or more people are not permitted; and

•Outdoor gatherings of 500 or more people are not permitted.

For any gathering, there must be four square metres of space for each person.  

The above rules do not apply to essential gatherings such as schools, hospitals or public transport.

3.Should I work from home?

If you have the capacity to work from home, you should do so.

4.Can I still go grocery shopping?

Yes.

5.How long will these measures be in place?

We will keep the community continually updated as we deal with this evolving health crisis. As the Prime Minister has noted, Australians should expect these measures to be in place for at least 6 months.

6.Does this apply across NSW?

The restrictions apply across NSW, including regional and rural NSW.

7.Where can I go for the latest information?

Visit www.nsw.gov.au latest advice.

8. Who can I call for support?

Businesses impacted by COVID-19 can call this helpline: 13 28 46


SCHOOLS

1. Are schools closing?

As per health advice, schools will remain open. But in NSW from March 24, for practical reasons, parents are encouraged to keep their children at home.

2. Why are we now encouraging parents to keep children at home?

Already we are seeing nearly 30 per cent of children being kept out of school. So for practical reasons NSW is encouraging parents to keep their children at home. This will ensure there is only one unit of work, whether the student is at home or at school. Importantly, no child will be turned away from school.

3. Should I still send my child to school?

Parents are encouraged where possible to keep their children at home. Schools will remain open to those parents that have no other options. Schools are still a safe place and no child will be turned away from school.

4. How will my child learn if he/she is at school?

Online learning will be available for all children. Information will be made available to schools.

Further information can be found here: https://education.nsw.gov.au/

5. Can I send my child to school if I can’t work from home?

Yes, you will still be able to send your child to school. Schools will remain open to those parents that have no other options. No child will be turned away from school.

6. Are childcare, daycare and preschool facilities still open?

Yes, childcare, daycare and preschools will remain open.

7. What happens to my childcare rebate if I choose to keep my child at home?

The childcare rebate is administered by the Federal Government. For further information please visit: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19

GYMS, INDOOR SPORTING AREAS AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUES 

1. Are gyms closed?

Yes.

2. What is an indoor recreation facility?

Any indoor area where sporting activity occurs, such as squash courts, indoor swimming pools, gyms, table tennis centres, bowling alleys and ice rinks.

3.What if I am a sole trader, such as a personal trainer that operates out of a gym ormy own studio?

Gyms and indoor sporting areas have been ordered to close. You will not be able to operate out of a gym or indoor sporting venue.

4.If I am a member of a gym, what happens to my membership, is it automatically cancelled/suspended?

Please contact your gym about their cancellation/suspension policy.

5.Can I still exercise outdoors?

Yes, but you must practise social distancing.

6.What is an entertainment facility?

This includes music halls, concert halls, billiards, pool or gaming arcades.


CAFÉ/RESTAURANT 

1.If I am a café/restaurant can I still let the public into my venue?
Restaurants and cafes are restricted to providing takeaway (including drive through services) and home delivery service only.
2.Will my café/restaurant reopening hours need to change?
Opening hours are a matter for each individual business to consider. Restaurants and cafes are restricted to providing takeaway and home delivery service only.
3.What financial support is available to me as a small business?
The NSW Government has announced a $1.6 billion package to support business and jobs. Details are available at www.nsw.gov.au
4.Where can I find out more information?
www.nsw.gov.au has the latest information on measures available to businesses and employees.
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