The following is an email I received from Service NSW. This is the freedom or lack thereof allowed here in the Australian state of New South Wales.
| Greater Sydney’s lockdown has been extended until 12:01am Saturday 28 August. |
| Invite a friend or family member into your singles bubbleA singles bubble will be introduced from Saturday 31 July for people who live alone, or with no other adults, in Greater Sydney. You will be able to choose a family member or friend, colleague, or partner to visit you at home. The person you choose needs to be the same person till lockdown ends. If you live in one of the 8 areas of concern your chosen friend or family member must also live within 5kms of your home. If you live anywhere else in the Greater Sydney area, your chosen visitor cannot be from one of the 8 areas of concern. |
| Authorised workers and latest update for Western SydneyPeople who live in one of the 8 areas of concern must:Travel no further than 5kms from home for exercise and outdoor recreationWear a mask at all times when outside of home, regardless of how far they are physical distancing from others.People living in one of the 8 areas of concern cannot leave their local area for work unless they are an authorised worker. Changes to mandatory surveillance testing requirements from Saturday 31 July:Fairfield and Cumberland health or aged care workers (including support workers for health or aged care – such as cleaners, cooks and security) must get tested every 3 days to be allowed to leave their local government area for workCanterbury-Bankstown authorised workers must get tested every 3 days, to be allowed to leave their local government area for work. |
| Construction and trade work to resume Saturday 31 JulyConstruction sites in Greater Sydney can resume work on Saturday 31 July. Construction work cannot resume in the 8 areas of concern except in certain necessary circumstances. All construction workers must keep a physical distance from other workers on site and follow the 4 square metre rule. There must be no contact between construction workers and residents. Up to 2 workers allowed to work indoors, up to 5 workers outside. Trades people (including cleaners) will be allowed to restart work in residential homes as long as there is no contact with residents. Up to 2 workers allowed to work indoors, up to 5 workers outside. |
 Shopping rules update You can only go shopping within your local government area or within 10km of your home (unless the goods or services are not available in your local area or within 10kms).If you live in one of the 8 areas of concern, you can only go shopping within 5km of your home (unless the goods or services are not available in your local area). Only one member of the household should leave home to shop for essentials such as food, personal needs for your household (including pets) or if you’re shopping for vulnerable people. |
 New policing operation to tackle the spread of COVID-19A new high-visibility policing operation has launched across Greater Sydney to enforce the new rules. Police have the power to: Shut down businesses, construction sites and public premises where there is a risk to public healthFine people for not wearing a mask when required. Fine has increased from $200 to $500. |
| Restrictions for regional and rural NSW remain in placeIf you usually travel to Greater Sydney for work or to study at university/TAFE, the stay at home rules apply. You should not enter Greater Sydney unless you have a reasonable excuse. Coming to Greater Sydney to be vaccinated is considered a reasonable excuse. The stay at home rules also apply to anyone who visited Greater Sydney on or after Monday 21 June 2021. |
| Home schooling continues except for year 12 studentsStudents from kindy to year 11 need to keep home schooling. Schools will remain open for any child that needs it. Students who live in one of the 8 areas of concern are strongly encouraged to stay at home. Year 12 students returning to school From Monday 16 August, face to face learning will restart for Year 12 students under strict COVID-19 protocols. |
| See latest COVID-19 case locations in Greater Sydney & regional NSWCheck this easy-to-use map to see COVID-19 cases reported in the past 14 days. You can also search locations by postcode or view locations as a list. If you have visited any of the case locations you must follow NSW Health advice for that area about whether you need to get tested and self-isolate. |
| Getting yourself vaccinated will help end COVID-19 restrictionsTwo doses of either vaccine will provide around 90% protection from hospitalisation and death from COVID-19. Latest health advice recommends everyone 18+ in Greater Sydney should book a vaccination – especially if you live in one of the 8 areas of concern. NSW Health clinics in Greater Sydney now offer AstraZeneca to people aged 18+. With newly opened mass vaccination centres in Lake Macquarie, Sydney CBD, Macquarie Fields and Wollongong to open mid-August, plus vaccinations available across the GP network, it’s easier than ever to get vaccinated. |
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