Information for Family Connect and Support providers

Public Health (COVID-19 Temporary Movement and Gathering Restrictions) Order 2021

On 26 June 2021, the Public Health (COVID-19 Temporary Movement and Gathering Restrictions) Order 2021 (the Order) commenced in response to cases of community transmission of COVID-19 in Greater Sydney. Further advice on the Order can be found on the NSW Government’s COVID-19 website.

The Order places temporary restrictions and other requirements on movement and gathering in NSW, and further restrictions for those living and working in Greater Sydney (including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour). These restrictions will remain in place until 11.59pm on Friday, 9 July 2021.

Family Connect and Support Service Delivery

Family Connect and Support service providers should continue to provide a service, and Family Connect and Support clients can continue to seek assistance from and/or attend services. Providing care or assistance to vulnerable persons, including home visits, is permitted. We understand that some service providers may also transition some service delivery to online modes of delivery.

Number of persons are allowed on premises

Family Connect and Support service providers are exempt from complying with the requirement that the number of persons on a premises must be equivalent to 1 person per 4 square metres of space in the premises, where the gathering is to provide a service to assist vulnerable members of the public.

Ensure your COVID-19 safety plan follows NSW COVID-19 rules and guidance in place and that the plan is being adhered to, and please remember to:

• continue practicing physical distancing (keep 1.5 metres apart)
• wash your hands regularly
• provide hand sanitiser for your clients.

Face Masks

Family Connect and Support service providers are required to comply with the Order requiring a person to wear a face mask at all times while indoor in any non-residential premises, unless a person is:

• aged 12 years or under, or
• has a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a face mask unsuitable including, for example, a skin condition, an intellectual disability, autism or trauma.

Some of the circumstances where a person may remove a face mask include, when:

• eating or drinking
• communicating with another person who is deaf or hard of hearing
• the nature of the person’s work makes the wearing of a fitted face covering a risk to the person’s, or another person’s health and safety, or means clear enunciation or visibility of the person’s mouth is essential
• asked to remove the fitted face covering to ascertain the person’s identity
• because of an emergency
• removal of the fitted face covering is necessary for the proper provision of the goods or service
• in a school or an early education and care facility
• the person is working alone in an indoor area like an office until another person enters the area

A person must resume wearing a face mask as soon as practicable after the circumstance ends.

Restrictions on Outdoor Gatherings

Gathering outdoors to provide a service to assist vulnerable members of the public is permitted, and is exempt from the limit of 10 persons. However, please remain COVID safe and remember to:

• continue practicing physical distancing (keep 1.5 metres apart)
• wash your hands regularly
• provide hand sanitiser for your clients.

Further information

If you have any questions about how the changes may impact your service, please contact your contract manager or email the Family Connect and Support project team at FamilyConnectandSupport@facs.nsw.gov.au

Please continue checking the NSW Government website to stay up to date on COVID-19.