COVID-19: Latest Restrictions announced (14 August 2021)

August 14th, 2021 Latest News

After 7 weeks, the NSW Government has announced a revamp of the lockdowns and restrictions beginning 5 pm on Saturday, 14 August 2021. The lockdown and restrictions now apply to not only Greater Sydney but also regional NSW.


The following provides information and clarification on the impacts on early childhood education and care (ECEC) (long daycare) services:


OPERATIONAL


  1. ECEC services can continue to remain open and operate (see Clause 24(1)(k) and Item 11 of Schedule 2 – Exempted Gatherings of the latest NSW Public Health Order);

  2. two persons not from the same household can travel in a vehicle in Greater Sydney if engaging in work (see Clause 24AA(2)(a) of the latest NSW Public Health Order);

  3. singing in non-residential premises are allowed if the premises are an educational establishment (see Clause 14(2)(b) of the latest NSW Public Health Order);

  4. persons may remove a fitted face covering if the person is at work and the nature of the person’s work means clear enunciation or visibility of the person’s mouth is essential (see Clause 17(3)(d)(ii) of the latest NSW Public Health Order);

  5. persons may remove a fitted face covering for the proper provision of goods or service (see Clause 17(3)(g) of the latest NSW Public Health Order); and

  6. NEW REQUIREMENT: persons must resume wearing their fitted face coverings as soon as practicable after the circumstance ends (see Clause 17(4) of the latest NSW Public Health Order). (NOTE: Hence, it is strongly recommended that all educators/teachers carry their face masks at all times while at the ECEC service).

FAMILIES


  1. Parents/guardians from across Greater Sydney and Regional NSW can continue to drop-off and pick-up their child/ren from ECEC services (see Item 3 of Schedule 1 – Reasonable Excuses of the latest NSW Public Health Order and written clarification from the NSW Department of Education based on NSW Health advice).
    ​

STAFFING


  1. Notwithstanding the declared areas of the Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Bayside, Burwood, Strathfield local government areas and the Penrith LGA suburbs of Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair and St Marys, ECEC personnel are Authorised Workers and can leave their local government area for work (see 24E(2)’s Note of the latest NSW Public Health Order);

  2. From 31 July 2021, ECEC personnel who reside within the Canterbury-Bankstown local government area as Authorised Workers can leave their local government area for work but must be COVID tested within 72 hours (ie 3 days) and be able to provide such evidence to an employer or occupier of the service or a police offer (see Clause 24B(2) of the latest NSW Public Health Order and the Notice from the NSW Chief Health Officer); and

  3. an ECEC personnel from within Greater Sydney must not enter premises for work that are more than 50 kilometres outside Greater Sydney unless s/he has been tested for COVID-19 in the previous 7 days and has evidence of the test available for inspection by their employer or a police office (see Clause 24AD of the latest NSW Public Health Order).

Please note that other requirements may still apply, for example:


  • your service’s policies and procedures on infectious diseases as well as the delivery of children to, and collection of children from, education and care service premises;
  • social distancing; and
  • wearing of face coverings when and where required.​

Should you require any further information or clarification, please contact:


And for all COVID related information for the early childhood education and care sector, please visit ACA NSW's COVIDwatch.


PUBLISHED: 14 AUGUST 2021
​UPDATED: 15 AUGUST 2021

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