Further COVID-19 Restrictions announced for Greater Sydney Area and Businesses

On Saturday, 17 July the NSW Government announced further restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the Greater Sydney Area. With stricter limitations set to impact businesses, please ensure you are up to date with what support measures you're eligible to receive to alleviate losses. 

From 11:59pm, Saturday 17 July: 

1. All non-essential retail premises will be required to close. This excludes click and collect, takeaway and home delivery services as well as the following stores:

• Supermarkets including specialities (e.g. butchers, bakeries, liquor and fruit)
• Health, medical, maternity and infant supply stores
• Pharmacies and chemists
• Petrol stations
• Car hire
• Banks and financial institutions
• Hardware, nurseries and building supplies
• Agricultural and rural supplies
• Pet supplies
• Post offices
• Newsagents and office supplies stores

2. If you live in the Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown or Liverpool LGA’s you can not leave your LGA unless you work in health care or emergency services.

3. You must carry a mask with you at all times when outside the home, regardless of your LGA.

4. No carpooling is allowed unless it's with member of your household

From 12:01am Monday, 19 July: 

1. All construction is to be paused 

2. All non-urgent maintenance, including cleaning services, and residential repair work is to be paused

From 12:01am Wednesday, 21 July: 

1. Employers must allow employees to work from home if they are able to do so. Failure to do so may result in a "on-the-spot fine of $10,000" for businesses.

Useful links: 

• Applications for COVID-19 Business Support Packages open 19 July
• For more information on how to best optimise these business initiatives, please read our full blog.
• The NSW Governments support website
• Today's NSW Government media release 
• Small business FAQs for COVID support
• Summary table of small and medium business support

Please note that all other restrictions currently in place across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour areas will remain in place until 30 July 2021. Today's further restrictions will align with the current lockdown timeline (ending 30 July), although government advice suggests we should prepare to be in lockdown past this date. 

With Victoria's COVID-19 situation developing, please see Daniel Andrew's latest announcement on cash support here. As more information becomes available we will keep you updated. 

For any questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact with your Client Director.