On 30 March 2020 the Health Minsister, Brad Hazzard, made an Order under the Public Health Act 2010 directing people in NSW not to leave their place of residence without reasonable excuse. Failing to comply is an offence attracting a fine of up to $11,000.00 or a maximum of 6 months imprisonment or both.
A reasonable excuse includes:
- Obtaining food or other goods or services for the personal needs of the household or other household purposes (including for pets) and for vulnerable persons.
- Travelling for the purposes of work if the person cannot work from the person’s place of residence.
- Travelling for the purposes of attending childcare (including picking up or dropping another person at childcare).
- Travelling for the purposes of facilitating attendance at a school or other educational institution if the person attending the school or institution cannot learn from the person’s place of residence.
- Exercising.
- Obtaining medical care or supplies or health supplies or fulfilling carer’s responsibilities.
- Attending a wedding or a funeral (weddings are limited to 5 persons which includes the celebrant and funerals to 10 which, as amended by later Order, excludes persons necessary for the conduct and preparation of the funeral).
- Moving to a new place of residence (including a business moving to new premises) or between different places of residence of the person or inspecting a potential new place of residence.
- Providing care or assistance (including personal care) to a vulnerable person or providing emergency assistance.
- Donating blood.
- Undertaking any legal obligations.
- Accessing public services (whether provided by Government, a private provider or a non-Government organisation), including
- social services, and
- employment services, and
- domestic violence services, and
- mental health services, and
- services provided to victims (including as victims of crime).
- For children who do not live in the same household as their parents or siblings or one of their parents or siblings—continuing existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children or siblings.
- For a person who is a priest, minister of religion or member of a religious order— going to the person’s place of worship or providing pastoral care to another person.
- Avoiding injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm.
- For emergencies or compassionate reasons.
April 2020