NSW’s Lockdown Will Last Until 30 June, At Least, So Get Comfy

Well, now you know, so that’s something.

Wondering when you can potentially bask in the comforting presence of more than one other person? If you live in NSW, you’ve got a bit more clarity as to when your enforced COVID-19 quarantine will come to an end.

That’d be 30 June 2020. Or, about 90 days from now.

Read More:

What the ‘Two-Person’ Rule for Social Gatherings Means for You

As of today, people in Sydney must remain at home unless they have a "reasonable excuse" (you can see the full list of excuses here). They include obtaining food, exercise and "caring reasons", which includes visiting a partner. 

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller announced that the state’s social distancing restrictions—and the fines that come with it—will be lifted at the end of June, as the state continues to reckon with its worst-in-the-country record for coronavirus infections.

However, it is simply the enforcement of social distancing that will end on 30 June, mostly because Commissioner Fuller hopes "people will have gotten the message by then." It is still very possible that people in NSW, and all over the country if not the world, will need to continue practicing social distancing after that point.

As of this writing, there are 2,298 cases of coronavirus in NSW, with more than 5,000 confirmed cases Australia-wide.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has congratulated her state on flattening the curve by practicing social distancing, which slows the spread of coronavirus to minimise the strain on our healthcare system. However, there are still several months of effort ahead required to keep the pressure off the hospitals.

At this time, offenders who ignore the 'two-person' rule or other requirements of the NSW lockdown will face a maximum penalty of imprisonment for six months or a fine of up to $11,000 (or both) plus a further $5,500 fine each day the offence continues.

Here's how punishments will be doled out in other states (as of 2 April):

In VIC, Premier Daniel Andrews said that individuals will be up for an on-the-spot fine of more than $1,600 if they breach the rule.

In QLD, on-the-spot fines of up to $6,672.50 for corporations and $1,334.50 for individuals will be enforced by police authorities.

The ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said a focus on education and warnings would be enforced but the second phase of execution would include the capacity for police to issue fines.

For TAS, Premier Peter Gutwein has suggested arrests and foreshadowed on-the-spot fines. Those fines could be as much as $16,800, or offenders could otherwise face six months in jail.

In the NT, Chief Minister Michael Gunner said there will be no police enforcement for the new rules, however he encouraged individuals to do the right thing.

For SA, the Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said that the new national advice would not be implemented in the state. Instead, SA will still be enforcing the 10-person rule, and individuals who don’t comply will face a $1,000 fine.

Lastly, WA’s state government announced that on-the-spot fines of $1,000 for individuals and $5,000 for businesses will apply to those who do not comply with the rules (if it passes through parliament), though individuals are not forced to remain at home just yet.

It’s not known who long the laws will apply in other states. But if you thought it’d all be over in a couple weeks, you better start getting used to solo catch-ups (or group chats online).

Better yet, use this as an opportunity to get to know the best friend you'll ever have: yourself!

Stay safe out/in there!

Header Image: Five Buck Photos via Getty Images