NSW recorded zero new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. There were five cases recorded in returned travellers, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,895. While there were 12,213 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 19,959, NSW Health can advise the reported testing numbers today appear lower after a minor IT issue delayed inclusion of approximately 6,000 negative tests. These figures will be counted in tomorrow’s numbers. There were no delays reporting test results to individuals who had been tested. More here. View the latest COVID-19 case locations here.

The Hon. Justice William Alstergren, Chief Justice, Family Court of Australia, Chief Judge, Federal Circuit Court of Australia has issued Joint Practice Direction 1 of 2021 expanding the COVID-19 List currently operating in each court (to handle the urgent applications filed as a result of the pandemic). As the impacts and consequential effects of the pandemic continue to change, the list has been expanded to proactively address these changes, provide greater opportunities for litigants to seek urgent assistance from the Courts via the fast-track nature of the list. View the practice direction for the Family Court here. View the practice direction for the Federal Circuit Court here.

In response to the Public Health Order concerning mandatory face coverings, the Supreme Court of NSW issued a COVID-19 update on 4 January 2021. The Court will keep this matter under review. Read here.

The District Court and Dust Diseases Tribunal most recent update on social distancing requirements is available here. 

The Chief Magistrate of the Local Court’s Memorandum in relation to Mask Wearing in the Local Courts within the Greater Sydney Region is available here.

Lawcover has experienced a sharp increase in cyber-attacks on firms and claims submitted over the Christmas break and continuing into January. All losses have arisen due to lawyers not phoning the client to validate changes requested by email to bank account details. Read the Lawcover cyber risk alert here.

To deal with the public health risk of COVID-19 and its possible consequences, the Minister for Health and Medical Research has made a number of Orders, under section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010. Orders can be amended frequently. For the most up to date orders, and the history of each order visit NSW Legislation COVID-related legislation.

Current restrictions for Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong available here.

Restrictions are changing in some states and territories that may affect your ability to travel or cross a domestic border. In some cases quarantine restrictions apply. View information about each state and territory here.

The Dine & Discover program will roll out across NSW from March 2021. Under the program, every NSW resident aged 18 and over will receive four $25 vouchers to spend at participating businesses to provide an economic boost for dining, arts and tourism businesses. More here.

Comprehensive checklists designed by NSW Health and approved by the Chief Health Officer provide clear directions on how businesses and organisations should fulfil their obligations under Public Health Orders to minimise risk of transmission of COVID-19 on their premises. More here.

The NSW Government has announced four new Regional Job Precincts for regional NSW to increase business and stimulate local economies post drought, bushfires and COVID, with Albury named as the first. More here.