Today the NSW Government has re-classified the Central Coast region in the Public Health Orders.
Decisions about COVID-19 rules in the Central Coast and Shellharbour local government areas (LGAs) will now be consistent with the remainder of regional NSW and separate to Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Wollongong.
Due to the Central Coast’s 28 active COVID-19 cases there will be no short-term changes to the current rules.
However, being treated separately to Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Wollongong improves our region’s chances of coming out of lockdown earlier. This also means that local schools will be able to resume face-to-face learning sooner. It is everyone’s responsibility to continue to follow the rules, get tested and book vaccination appointments.
Today the NSW Government has also strengthened the new permit system.
Anyone from Greater Sydney (including authorised workers from the LGAs of concern) who needs to travel more than 50 kilometres from Greater Sydney for work purposes will require a permit. Sydneysiders who travel for work purposes must also have a COVID-19 test every seven days.
Central Coast residents travelling in regional NSW will not require a permit or a COVID-19 test.
Once the new Public Health Order is written, signed and gazetted, permit applications will be made available on the Service NSW website.