Paul Bibby
Travelling to the Northern Rivers and other regional areas for a holiday has effectively been outlawed by the NSW Government under tough new laws designed to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The government yesterday introduced a public health order making it unlawful for those living in NSW to leave their place of residence except to obtain food and other goods and services, undertake work or education that cannot be done from home, exercise, or receive medical care.
It also bans gatherings of more than two people in public places, unless those people are members of the same household, or the gatherings are ‘essential for work or education’.
Police have been given unprecedented powers to enforce the new health order and those who breach it without a ‘significant excuse’ could spend up to six months in jail and face an $11,000 fine.
The order specifically states that ‘taking a holiday in a regional area is not a reasonable excuse’.
It was signed by NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard late on Monday night.
The new laws may stem the tide of people travelling to the Northern Rivers from Sydney and Brisbane, and other major urban centres such as the Gold Coast in a bid to escape the greater prevalence COVID-19.
However, it is more bad news for the region’s tourism industry, which may be forced to close down completely.
A total of 16 ‘excuses’ for leaving the home are contained in the order, including to attend weddings and funerals, which are limited to five and 10 people respectively.
Other excuses include moving house, donating blood, undertaking legal obligations and accessing public services such as Centrelink and domestic violence services.
You can read the full order here.
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