On Sunday Night the Prime Minister announced new restrictions on public gatherings and when you could leave your home. Each state was tasked with the responsibility of drafting the Public Orders implementing the new rules. Very late last night the orders were finally drafted and this is what you can or cannot do.
We have put together a list of things you can do in Lane Cove including letting you know the Lane Cove Parks that are open and the playgrounds that are closed.
You can still go to shops in Lane Cove that are not supermarkets, butchers, greengrocers, grog shops, but you will find that many non-food retailers are now closed as it was uneconomic to remain open. The Source Bulk Foods and Go Vita Lane Cove are open. All shops must have in place a 4m rule and must ensure customers are at least 1.5 m apart
Most health professionals remain open but dentists are now only allowed to work on urgent cases. Orthodontists are closed.
You can still get help if your glasses are broken or you need new ones, you can still get your hearing tested and your hearing aids fixed up, you can still go to the doctor (but check with your doctor as they might be able to do the consult on the telephone or by video). If you have chronic pain that needs help Physios and other allied health professionals are still open. Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy are still available but via video consult. Vets are also open but have in place very strict rules in relation to visiting them. Here are a list
Cafes and restaurants remain open but only for takeaway and many now do home delivery. Here is a list of restaurants that are open (being places that usually serve lunch and dinner)
Here is a list of coffee shops and cafes that are open (if a cafe is not on this list please email ITC with your information)
Petrol Stations are all open and have a large range of convenience and grocery items if you want to avoid crowded supermarkets.
Where possible arrange for home delivery – here is a list of LOCALS who home deliver.
You must not, without reasonable excuse, leave your place of residence.
Police have the power to enforce these orders with on the spot $1000 fines or could spend up to six months in prison and face an $11,000 fine.
Do not gather with more than 2 people in public, except:
- for members of the same household
- where the gathering is essential for work or education.
Where possible stay local.
What is a reasonable excuse?
- obtaining food or other goods or services for the personal needs of the household or other household purposes (including for pets such as vets and vet supply stores) and for vulnerable persons
- travelling for work if the person cannot work from the person’s place of residence
- travelling for the purposes of attending childcare (including picking up or dropping another person at childcare)
- travelling for the purposes of facilitating attendance at a school or other educational institution if the person attending the school or institution cannot learn from the person’s place of residence (for example if you work on the frontline and home learning is not possible)
- exercising but not at gym, public swimming pool, playgrounds, outdoor gym equipment in a park/playground or skate park. You can exercise in a Lane Cove Park (see below for details on what is a park) while keeping a safe distance from others, and only with one other person or people of the same household.
- obtaining medical care or supplies or health supplies or fulfilling carer’s responsibilities
- attending a wedding or a funeral (only 5 people at a wedding and 10 at a funeral)
- moving to a new place of residence (including a business moving to new premises) or between different places of residence of the person or inspecting a potential new place of residence
- providing care or assistance (including personal care) to a vulnerable person or providing emergency assistance
- donating blood
- undertaking any legal obligations (for example attending a court or tribunal, satisfying bail requirements or participating in legal proceedings)
- for children who do not live in the same household as their parents or siblings or one of their parents or siblings—continuing existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children or siblings.
- a person who is a priest, minister of religion or member of a religious order— going to the person’s place of worship or providing pastoral care to another person
- avoiding injury or illness or to escape risk of harm at harm (for example domestic violence, fire, building unsafe, a tree falls on your roof)
- for emergencies or compassionate reasons (for example you are buying food for an elderly person or volunteering at a service who provides help for the vulnerable or you are checking)
- accessing public services (whether provided by Government, a private provider or a non-Government organisation), including
- social services, and
- employment services
- domestic violence services,
- mental health services
- services provided to victims (including as victims of crime)
Taking a holiday in a regional area is not a reasonable excuse
Dinner parties and house parties are NOT permitted
What is a household?
Household means any persons living together in the same place of residence. There are no limits on the number of family members who can live in the house at the same time. Dinner parties and house parties are NOT permitted.
Lane Cove Parks
You can visit these parks but not play on any play equipment in the park or any outdoor gym equipment.
Lane Cove Playgrounds
See the list of playgrounds that will be closed here.
Lane Cove Golf and Tennis
The Lane Cove Golf Course and River Road Tennis Courts and all other Lane Cove Tennis courts are closed.
Lane Cove Banks
With the recent announcement by Federal and State Governments regarding the closure of non-essential services, banks are considered an essential service and we remain open to help you with all your banking needs.
Branches are open, however where possible you are encouraged to use online banking and mobile apps. You can make payments, transfer funds, see statements and more.
If you do need to visit a branch, please make sure you are feeling well and follow the social distancing guidelines of 1.5 metres wherever possible.
Sydney Community Services
Sydney Community Services is located in Lane Cove and has a long history of providing services to the aged and people living with a disability including social activities, gardening, home nursing, podiatry, Community Care Advisory, clean sheets and towels, home delivered meals, home modifications and maintenance, flexible respite, carers support, shopping services, community and engagement programs, medical transport and assistance in daily life.
Sydney Community Services (9427 6425) is a central source for anyone in Lane Cove or Hunters Hill who either need to self-isolate or choose to not go outside as they worry they are at risk of the Corona Virus.
If you are a neighbour of someone who may be at risk please check they are ok and let Sydney Community Services know if they need to be on the vulnerable list.
They are putting together a database of people who are in isolation but they also need volunteers who are able to help others who need emergency supplies, or even just give social contact, through a phone link.
They take referrals by phone on 9427 6425. You can also email [email protected] with your details.
They are now the first line of contact for many elderly and vulnerable people in our community. Need for their services is growing daily and they have asked In the Cove to put a call out for donations.
Elderly or Vulnerable People Priority Online Shopping
If you are elderly or vulnerable you can arrange for priority shopping with Woolworths. Coles is working to introduce their priority home deliveries by the end of this week.
Woolworths has introduced Priority Assistance home deliveries to help the elderly, people with disability, those with compromised immunity and those in mandatory isolation. To apply for Priority Assistance delivery, please complete the form at woolworths.com.au/priorityassistance
Coles Online has been temporarily diverted to the Coles Online Priority Service (COPS), allowing them to focus on delivering food and grocery essentials to elderly and vulnerable members of the community, including retirement and nursing homes. They will shortly announce how customers can access COPS; please check www.coles.com.au for more details.
Mental Health Support
If you aren’t feeling yourself lately the Way2Wellness team are available to listen. Talk to a trained mental health supporter using a free and confidential wellbeing service.
For more information visit: www.way2wellness.org.au or call: 1300 120 446 to chat.
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