Stay-at-home orders now in place for Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Dungog, Singleton and Muswellbrook LGAs

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Please note that the information in this article was accurate at time of publication and is subject to change. Visit the NSW Government website for the latest advice and information.

Following updated health advice, the Premier announced the extension of the stay-at-home orders for the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Dungog, Singleton and Muswellbrook local government areas (LGAs) until the beginning of 20 August to help protect against the growing risk to communities in these areas.
 
The stay-at-home orders will apply to all people who live in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Dungog, Singleton and Muswellbrook LGAs and are the same orders which exist in Greater Sydney (including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour).
 
Everyone in these areas must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason such as:

  • Shopping for food or other essential goods and services;
  • Medical care or compassionate needs (including to get a COVID-19 vaccine)
  •  Exercise in groups of no more than 2 within your local government area or up to 10km from your home 
  • Essential work, or education, where you cannot work or study from home.
  • Masks must be worn indoors (not including the home) and in outdoor settings where you cannot socially distance from others (e.g. while queuing for takeaway).


What does the stay-at-home order mean for taxi, rideshare, hire car and other point to point transport service providers and drivers?

  • The new restrictions will have an impact on the point to point transport industry, passenger services must only be provided for the above essential reasons.
  • Drivers must wear a mask at all times while in the vehicle (unless they have an exemption). This means even when a passenger is not in the vehicle. Fines apply.
  • Passengers must wear a mask (unless they have an exemption). Fines apply
  • If exempt, evidence of the exemption must be carried
  • Do not travel if unwell, stay home and get tested immediately
  • 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

 

Staying COVID safe – Vehicle Sanitisation Stations (VSS)

 

  • Vehicle Sanitisation Stations (VSS) provide a complimentary and efficient service that sanitises high touch areas of the vehicle.
  • When visiting a Vehicle Sanitisation Station, each vehicle is eligible for up to 5 masks per visit. 
  • Newcastle Vehicle Sanitisation Station is located at:

          4a Metal Pit Drive, Mayfield West 2304
          Mon - Fri, 8am-4pm
          Closed on Weekends and Public Holidays

  • All regional service providers are entitled to complimentary packs of 50 disposable face masks, available online via the Commissioner’s industry portal. 

Vaccination – a priority

 
Once again, the Premier and Chief Health Officer flagged that an increase in vaccination is key to coming out of this lockdown. We encourage everyone, but especially members of the point to point transport industry to get vaccinated. Please reinforce this message with drivers and staff and encourage them to check their eligibility.
 
See our COVID-19 2021 FAQs for further information.

We will continue to update the industry as new information becomes available.
It is important that you keep up with the latest updates and health advice by visiting Health NSW. 
 

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