Australia: New South Wales authorities issue stay-home orders for people who have been in Greater Sydney on or since June 21 /update 31

Event

Authorities issued June 26 stay-home orders for people across New South Wales (NSW) who have been to Greater Sydney on or after June 21. Affected individuals must remain in their residence for two weeks from the day they left Greater Sydney. Officials will also limit nonessential travel from across NSW to Greater Sydney. The restrictions follow an expansion of stay-home orders to all of Greater Sydney, including Blue Mountains, Central Coast, and Wollongong, 18:00 June 26-23:59 July 9 due to increased COVID-19 activity in the area. People must stay at home except if obtaining essential goods and services, seeking medical care, exercising in groups of 10 or fewer people, or attending work or studies if remote options are not possible, among others.

Officials allow a maximum of five visitors to households in the rest of NSW. People must wear facemasks in all indoor non-residential settings and on public transport. All indoor and outdoor venues must adhere to a distancing rule of a person for every four square meters (43 square feet). Outdoor seated and ticketed events may take place at a maximum of half the seating capacity. Most nonessential, entertainment, and cultural venues must still collect patrons' contact information electronically; hospitality companies must use the government's quick-response (QR) code system.

Authorities will probably maintain increased security measures across NSW, particularly in the Greater Sydney area. Transport disruptions may occur.

International Quarantine Requirements
Most travelers entering Australia must quarantine in government-designated facilities for 14 days in the city of arrival. Travelers from New Zealand can enter NSW without quarantine. However, passengers on a flight with passengers or crew members that have been outside of Australia or New Zealand within 14 days of arrival must still quarantine. Costs for quarantine are at the traveler's own expense, payable at the end of the period. Quarantine fees are AUD 3,000 for the first adult, AUD 1,000 per additional adult, and AUD 355 per child; the government does not charge fees for children under three years old. Authorities require quarantined travelers to take a COVID-19 test on the 10th day of quarantine. Refusal to take tests will result in an additional 10 days in quarantine.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by government health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

New South Wales Government
NSW Health
NSW Interstate Hotspots
NSW-Victoria Border Region