In line with the statewide COVID-19 lockdown imposed by the Berejiklian government at the weekend, some changes to restrictions are coming into force from Monday.
After some confusion about what the changes mean for the Hunter, Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery posted some clarification online.
The 10km rule will be reduced to 5km from a person's home if they leave their local government area. For example, a person living in Adamstown (in the Newcastle LGA) can travel to Charlestown for exercise (in the Lake Macquarie LGA, but less than 5km from Adamstown). But they cannot travel to Warners Bay (further than 5km and in a different LGA to Adamstown).
Anyone entering regional NSW will require a permit from Service NSW from 12.01am on August 21. That includes any workers from areas of concern in Greater Sydney, anyone inspecting real estate (only people needing a place to live) and anyone travelling to their second home - only for work accommodation or if the premises needs urgent repairs - and only one person can travel there.
The requirement to register a singles bubble partner does not apply to the Hunter.
Fines will also increase from Monday for breaches of the COVID-19 public health orders.
Anyone breaching self-isolation rules will face a $5000 on-the-spot fine, as will people lying on a permit to get into regional NSW or being untruthful with a NSW Health contact tracer.
On-the-spot fines of $3000 will be issued to anyone breaching the two-person outdoor exercise rule as well as people breaching the ban on entering regional NSW for anything other than an authorised reason.
Everyone is also required to carry proof of their address when exercising outdoors and must show police if asked to do so.
A full list of the rules and exceptions can be found on the NSW Health website, at https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/affected-regions. The restrictions are expected to be in force until at least 12.01am on Sunday, August 22.
