Updated
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has expanded on, and clarified aspects of, the easing of home isolation rules and the return to school situation.
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Berejiklian said three key changes would take effect across NSW next month:
- From Friday May 1, up to two adults and their dependent children will be allowed to visit another household.
- We will see a return of face-to-face teaching from 11 May, and then will consider accelerating a full return to school as soon as possible.
- There have never been restrictions in NSW on what people can and cannot buy, however there may be increased retail activity, with some businesses choosing to re-open. It is important these shops maintain social distancing and hygiene requirements.
Ms Berejiklian said this update on visits to households has been made to reduce social isolation and improve mental health.
"It extends the existing guidelines of being able to leave home for 'care or medical purposes'," she said.
"The two adults need not be related.
"The last thing any of us want to see is a huge spike in cases.
"We need anyone with even the mildest of symptoms anywhere in NSW to stay home and come forward for testing."
Ms Berejiklian said there was "no limit on how you can travel within NSW so long as you respect the rules and the reason is consistent with one of the four categories for leaving home".
"It is important when visiting another household social distancing is maintained and extra hygiene precautions are taken. When visiting, meeting in an outdoor environment such as home garden, backyard or verandah will help reduce the risk.
"If you are visiting those aged over 70 or those with underlying health conditions we are urging you to be extra vigilant with social distancing and hygiene measures.
"It is also important to remember that you do not visit anyone if you or they are unwell, even if you have mild symptoms like fatigue or a scratchy throat.
"The two-person gathering limit still applies to public places."
For the latest information on COVID-19, visit: nsw.gov.au/covid-19.
Earlier
Home isolation rules in NSW will be eased from Friday and full face to face teaching in schools could resume sooner than anticipated.
The moves come with further encouraging coronavirus figures - only five new cases in the last 24 hours from 4000 tests.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced, starting on Friday, two adults as well as young children if they have them will be able to visit other people in their homes.
"From May 1, two adults will be able to go and visit anybody else in their home on the basis of care, on the basis of reducing socialisation and everybody's mental health," Ms Berejiklian said.
"We know for many people they have been cooped up in their homes for a number of weeks and with the exception of exercising, medical needs or buying what they need or going to work, many people have been isolated in their homes."
Ms Berejiklian said while two adults were specified, "if you have young children it's OK to take them with you".
The Premier stressed the need to "practice really good social distancing" when visiting anyone over the age of 70 or with a co-morbidity.
Anyone with a the mildest sniffle, or who was feeling slightly unwell or fatigued, should not risk a visit, she said.
Ms Berejiklian also warned "this isn't a license to go wild and have massive parties".
The Premier also foreshadowed a quicker return to full face to face teaching in schools.
"From May 11, schools will be returning with face to face teaching," she said.
"We are very hopeful the first few weeks of school resuming will result in us being able to possibly truncate the process - to have full time student attendance face to face quicker than we anticipated.
"That is our goal, that is our mission."
Ms Berejiklian said face to face teaching would be staged for the first fortnight, and, based on those results, the government would decide how quickly there would be full time attendance.
Another death in the last 24 hours brings the total to 37 in NSW from confirmed COVID-19 cases.
An 89-year-old female resident of Anglicare Newmarch House has died. This brings the total number of deaths linked to the facility to seven.
