Carpooling Now Allowed In Griffith

In August, the NSW Government banned carpooling as part of their COVID-19 restrictions creating havoc for some Griffith-based farming businesses because it meant that many farm hands couldn’t travel to their workplaces.

It also meant that two nurses could not travel together to their hospital unless they were from the same household.

Griffith MP Helen Dalton immediately raised this with the NSW Government, requesting an urgent exemption to allow carpooling.

The Minister granted this exemption within a couple of days. That means that carpooling will be allowed in Griffith for people travelling to work even if the city is thrown back into lockdown.

There are other rules announced by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian that have confused people.

These new rules are specific to red zones only. Those of us in the white zones are all out of lockdown, whether we’re vaccinated or not.

Although we are able to travel to other white areas, we are advised to avoid doing so unless absolutely necessary because just one case of COVID locally will send us back into lockdown.

Rules for those of us in white zones include:

Up to five visitors are allowed in a home, not including children 12 and under.

Up to 20 people can gather in a public outdoor setting, eg parks, ovals, restaurants, but not home backyards.

Hospitality venues can reopen subject to the one person per 4sqm rule inside and one person per 2sqm outside. Standing while drinking permitted outside. Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule.

Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can reopen with one person per 4sqm rule, capped at five clients per premises.

Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.

Sporting facilities, including swimming pools, can reopen.

Children and teachers are back at school for face-to-face learning, with COVID-19 safe practices in place.

Organised sporting competitions will not recommence until November, but you can play privately organised sport provided you adhere to the outdoor gathering rules.

Major recreation outdoor facilities, including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos have to abide by the one person per 4sqm rule and cap at 5000 people.

Up to 5000 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.

Indoor entertainment and information facilities, including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries must abide by the one person per 4sqm rule or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.

Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.

Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated. Churches and places of worship are open with the one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.

Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.

Carpooling is permitted.

You no longer have to wear a mask outdoors unless you’re working in hospitality. Masks are still mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports. Children aged under 12 do not need to wear a mask indoors.

• Topics:

• Covid-19
• The Workplace
• Education
• Local Economy / Business
• Health & Wellbeing