From 12.01am Saturday 11 September, parts of regional NSW that are currently deemed low risk, will come out of lockdown, but will continue to operate under restrictions to ensure the safety of regional communities.
The following local government areas (LGAs) areas will lift from lockdown from 11 September 2021:
| Albury
|
Greater Hume Shire | Nambucca |
| Armidale Regional | Griffith | Narrandera |
| Ballina | Gunnedah | Oberon |
| Balranald | Gwydir | Port Macquarie-Hastings |
| Bellingen | Hay | Richmond Valley |
| Berrigan | Hilltops | Snowy Valleys |
| Bland | Inverell | Tamworth Regional |
| Byron | Kempsey | Temora |
| Carrathool | Kyogle | Tenterfield |
| Clarence Valley | Junee | Tweed |
| Cobar | Lachlan | Unincorporated NSW |
| Coffs Harbour | Leeton | Upper Lachlan Shire |
| Coolamon | Lismore | Uralla |
| Coonamble | Liverpool Plains | Wagga Wagga |
| Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional | Lockhart | Walcha |
| Cowra | Mid-Coast | Warren |
| Edward River | Moree Plains | Warrumbungle Shire |
| Federation | Murray River | Weddin |
| Glen Innes Severn | Murrumbidgee | Wentworth |
What do the latest changes mean for taxi, rideshare, hire car and other point to point transport service providers and drivers?
Service providers and drivers living in the above LGAs must still operate according to the restrictions in place as outlined below:
- Drivers must wear a mask at all times while in the vehicle and available for hire (unless they have an exemption). Passengers must wear a mask (unless they have an exemption)
- If exempt, evidence of the exemption must be carried at all times.
- Carpooling will be permitted
- Drivers must check-in using the vehicle’s NSW Government QR code at the start of the shift and they should also check out when their shift is finished
- Drivers should encourage passengers to check-in using the NSW Government QR code in their vehicle
- Getting vaccinated is still a priority for all of NSW. Please reinforce this message with drivers and staff and encourage them to make an appointment.
Stay up to date
As is evident from today’s announcement that Yass Valley Council will return to lockdown for two weeks, the COVID situation in NSW continues to evolve and changes to restrictions will continue to occur. It is important for all members of the point to point transport industry to understand that while their local area may no longer be under stay-at-home orders this situation may change if there is a growing risk to a community. Please continue to look out for updates and stay up-to-date.
Regional NSW areas remaining in lockdown:
| Bathurst | Eurobodalla | Orange |
| Bega | Forbes | Parkes |
| Blayney | Gilgandra | Port Stephens |
| Bogan | Goulburn Mulwarre | Queanbeyan-Palerang |
| Bourke | Kiama | Queanbeyan-Palerang |
| Brewarrina | Lake Macquarie | Shellharbour |
| Broken Hill | Lithgow | Shoalhaven |
| Cabonne | Maitland | Singleton |
| Central Coast | Mid-Western | Upper Hunter |
| Central Darling | Muswellbrook | Walgett |
| Cessnock | Narrabri | Wingecarribee |
| Dubbo | Narromine | Yass Valley |
| Dungog | Newcastle |
NSW/Queensland Border Bubble update
From 1am Monday 13 September 2021, the NSW/ Queensland border bubble will be reinstated with Northern border residents able to cross the Queensland border for essential work and essential reasons following discussion between the NSW and Queensland Governments.
The LGAs included in the border bubble are: Ballina, Byron Bay, City of Lismore, Clarence Valley, Glen Innes Severn, Gwydir, Inverell, Kyogle, Moree Plains, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield, and Tweed.
This means service providers and drivers who live or stay in the cross-border LGAs listed above can cross the border to provide passenger services but only if they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination. Evidence of the vaccination must be carried at all times. For more information, visit the Queensland government website. Once we have more details, we will share this information.
Getting vaccinated is essential
Getting vaccinated is a priority for everyone in NSW. The Commissioner encourages everyone in the point to point transport industry to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Please reinforce this message with drivers and staff and encourage them to make an appointment.
You can also go to a NSW Health vaccination site or your local GP – many options are available.
Industry updates
The Commissioner understands this is a challenging time for everyone with change occurring regularly. We will continue to update the industry as new information and Public Health Order updates become available.
The Commissioner’s website and COVID-19 updates page provides further information on the stay-at-home rules and restrictions and how they apply to the Industry.