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The only 16 reasons you're allowed to leave your home in one Aussie state

Josh Dutton
·News Reporter
Updated ·3-min read

The NSW Government has listed the only 16 “reasonable excuses” for you to leave the home amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As of Wednesday morning, NSW has 2,182 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and nine deaths.

Coronavirus live blog: Latest news and updates about the crisis in Australia

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters on Tuesday she wants the community to “stick to the rules” put in place.

NSW Police patrol Circular Quay near the Sydney Opera House.
Police patrol a desserted Circular Quay. Source: Getty Images

“It is really important for us, at this stage of the virus, for us to maintain that level of control and containment as much as possible,” she said.

“We want to see fewer people have to go to hospital. We want to see fewer people die.”

Those that do not stick to the rules could face fines of up to $11,000 and a maximum of six months in jail.

NSW Police can also hand out $1000 on-the-spot fines to those not abiding by the restrictions and not self-isolating at home if they have been told to do so and businesses can be fined $55,000.

The state’s confirmed cases grew by 150 overnight, an increase on the previous daily total of 114.

The NSW Government has introduced the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 as part of ensuring the number of new cases continue to decrease.

Part of the order, which falls under the Public Health Act 2010 and is enforceable by NSW Police as of last week, includes 16 “reasonable excuses” for leaving the house.

Sixteen reasons you can leave your house in NSW

A man is seen jogging past a closed Luna Park in Sydney.
A man goes for a jog outside Luna Park. Exercise is noted as an acceptable reason to leave the house. Source: Getty Images

  • You’re obtaining food or other goods or services for the personal needs of the household or other household purposes (including for pets) and for vulnerable persons.

  • You can’t work from home and are traveling for the purposes of your occupation.

  • You’re providing assistance or personal care to a vulnerable person.

  • Childcare needs to be attended to - including picking up and dropping off kids.

  • You’re undergoing education and need to travel to a learning facility.

  • Exercise is being undertaken.

  • You’re obtaining medical supplies or fulfilling a carer’s responsibilities.

  • You’re attending a wedding or a funeral.

  • You’re donating blood.

  • Being outside allows you to fulfil legal obligations.

  • Leaving your home is the only way you can access social, domestic violence, employment, mental health and or services provided to victims.

  • You’re moving house or moving business.

  • A child who does not live in the same home as their parents or siblings continuing existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children or siblings.

  • You’re a priest, a minister of religion or a member of a religious order and you’re going to a place or worship or you’re providing pastoral care to another person.

  • Being outside allows you to avoid illness or injury.

  • You’re leaving for compassionate reasons or an emergency.

Hazard tape is seen on outdoor playground equipment at Hallstrom Park, Willoughby in Sydney.
The playground at Hallstrom Park, Willoughby in Sydney is taped off on Monday. Source: Getty Images

Premier Gladys Berejiklian was as clear in a press conference this week.

“Do not leave your home unless you absolutely have to. Do not gather more than two people outside or inside your home apart from your family,” she stressed on Tuesday.

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