NSW recorded 345 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night from a record 151,830 tests. Sadly, two deaths were recorded in that same time period. 57 cases were infectious in the community and the isolation status of 138 cases remains under investigation. Check the latest confirmed exposure venues here. This information is being updated as cases are confirmed and locations are verified. More information on today’s statistics here.

Due to increasing concerns about community transmission, stay at home rules apply from 5pm on Thursday 12 August 2021 to the local government areas of Bayside, Burwood and Strathfield. These are in line with previously identified local government areas of concern and 12 suburbs in Penrith LGA. More about the rules here.

The Local Court COVID Memo has been updated to include Ballina, Bourke, Brewarrina, Byron Bay, Casino, Coonamble, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Lightning Ridge, Lismore, Mullumbimby Narromine, Nyngan, Warren, Walgett and Wellington Local Courts. Please note this is memo only applies to Proceedings listed before a Local Court Magistrate. The Memo has also been amended to extended the provision for the Hunter Local Courts for another week.

In view of the Public Health Order announced on August 11, the commencement of new jury trials in the Dubbo District Court will be temporarily suspended until 12:01am Thursday 19 August 2021. The current jury trial will continue. Other than the jury trial, there will be no personal appearances in the Court during the above period. Practitioners should contact the Court for AVL appearance details and listing confirmation.   

A five-week sitting of the District Court in its criminal jurisdiction is scheduled to commence in Tamworth on Monday 16 August. As the current lockdown order for Tamworth continues until midnight Monday 16 August, jury trials listed for hearing in Tamworth will not commence on Monday. There will be no personal appearances in Tamworth District Court on Monday. These restrictions apply only to Monday 16 August. Practitioners must not assume that jury trials will not commence in Tamworth during the sittings. Practitioners should contact the Tamworth District Court for AVL appearance details and listing confirmation. An update will be provided as soon as advice is received about the current Public Health Order for Tamworth.

In view of the Public Health Order announced for the Lismore region this week, the commencement of new jury trials in the Lismore District Court will be temporarily suspended until 12:01am Tuesday 17 August 2021. There will be no personal appearances in the Court during the above period. Practitioners should contact the Lismore District Court for AVL appearance details and listing confirmation.

The directions made on 5 August 2021 concerning the Newcastle District Court will continue until 12:01am Friday 20 August 2021.

Arrangements found within Schedule 1 of the Treasury Laws Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Bill 2021, passed by the Senate this week, restore measures previously introduced in May 2020 at the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Law Council of Australia has welcomed the decision with President Dr Jacoba Brash QC saying in a statement “these amendments provide a response to the practical, regulatory and legal problems facing the corporate sector and investors because of lockdowns and restrictions on movement.” Read the Law Council’s full statement here.

NCAT's Consumer and Commercial Division will be conducting more hearings over video. From 16 August 2021, all tenancy and general matter conciliation and first listings will be held by video or telephone. Parties will have the option to join the video hearing or dial in. Parties can use their smartphone, computer, laptop or tablet to join the video hearing. They can also dial into the hearing by telephone if they do not have access to another form of technology. Video is preferred because it allows the Member and parties to see each other. A group of similar matters will be listed at the same time. Parties should read the hearing notice carefully for important information about how and when to participate in the hearing. In these matters the parties must make contact with the Member in the hearing room. The Member will not be calling the parties. Visit here for more information. If you have any questions please contact the NCAT Registry on 1300 006 228.

In response to a positive case of COVID-19 in the ACT, the lockdown restrictions will come in to effect from 5pm today (12 August), for seven days. The six essential reasons to leave home during this lockdown are: to buy essential groceries and medicine, to access essential healthcare including in-home care, for essential work, to exercise outdoors for one hour per day (within a resident’s region), to get a COVID-19 test and to get a COVID-19 vaccination. More here.

SIRA has updated its COVID-19 resources to help injured people, employers, and service providers during the current outbreak. Get the latest advice here.

A variety of free online tools, courses and resources will be rolled out to organisations working in the social services sector as part of a $10 million investment which aims to support non-government providers through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said the SSTF will support organisations to improve how they do business by giving them access to better technology, free legal services through Justice Connect, workforce development opportunities, practical support and resources to strengthen governance and strategy. Read the Government’s release here.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has this week provided provisional approval of the Moderna vaccine for use in Australian adults. The provisional approval of Moderna’s vaccine means it has met all the TGA’s strict standards of safety, quality and efficacy for use in people aged 18 years and over to prevent symptomatic and severe COVID-19. The TGA approval notes the Moderna vaccine will require two doses to be administered 28 days apart. The Government has secured 25 million Moderna doses, with the first million expected to arrive next month. Planning is underway for these vaccines to rollout through approved pharmacies and other providers. Read more here.