NSW recorded 65 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night from 58,299 tests. 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 COVID-19 statistics here.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced yesterday (14 July) that the current lockdown for Greater Sydney will continue until at least Friday 30 July, in light of the ongoing community transmission of COVID-19. Details of the announcement and the ongoing restrictions can be read here.

The Supreme Court notes the continuation of current COVID-19 arrangements. The Chief Justice has determined that current Supreme Court COVID arrangements will continue until Friday 30 July:

• All hearings will continue to be heard via AVL/virtual courtroom. No live appearances.
• No new jury criminal trials will commence in this period. Current criminal trials will continue/conclude.
• The public counter will remain closed until Friday, 30 July. The online registry will remain open. Please refer to the Supreme Court website for additional information.
• Masks remain compulsory throughout the court building and in court, unless one of the public health exemptions applies.

The temporary suspension of the commencement of new jury trials at: The Downing Centre; John Maddison Tower; Campbelltown; Gosford; Katoomba; Parramatta; Penrith; and Wollongong is extended to Friday 30 July 2021. 

In view of the publication of Public Health (COVID-19 Temporary Movement and Gathering Restrictions) Amendment (No 6) Order 2021 on 13 July 2021, compliance with the directions under Order 24C will be sufficient compliance with the District Court’s COVID-19 update published on 12 July 2021. For reference, 24C concerns testing of workers from Greater Sydney working outside Greater Sydney. A Greater Sydney worker must not enter premises for work that are more than 50km outside Greater Sydney unless the Greater Sydney worker:

1. has, within the preceding 7 days, been tested for COVID-19, and
2. has evidence of the test available for inspection on request by an employer or occupier of the premises or a police officer.

An SMS text message or email from the testing organisation can be evidence that a test has been taken. Although a court participant on bail is not a “worker” under 24C, compliance with the testing requirements under the Order will be sufficient compliance with the District Court’s COVID-19 Update of 12 July 2021.

The COVID Memo 19 from the NSW Chief Magistrate and the Court Security Act Order have both been extended to Friday 30 July 2021. Memo 19 also now includes a definition of a Defended Hearing: A defended hearing is a matter in which witnesses are required to give evidence. NB: matters listed for applications, interlocutory proceedings, submissions and/or decision may remain listed and proceed wherever possible.  

In light of the lockdown extension for Greater Sydney, the changes to the Commission’s operations in response to the Public Health Orders have been extended until Friday, 30 July, and will now remain in place until that date. The arrangements for medical assessments, hearings and the Commission’s offices are available to view here.

A new $2.1 billion business and employee support program, jointly funded by the Federal and NSW State Governments, will support NSW workers and businesses affected by the ongoing lockdown. Businesses will benefit from payroll tax waivers of 25 per cent for businesses with Australian wages of between $1.2 million and $10 million that have experienced a 30 per cent decline in turnover.  The NSW Government will also cover the disaster recovery payments for areas outside the Commonwealth declared hotspot from week four of the NSW lockdown providing valuable support across the state.  Residential tenants will also have greater protection with a targeted eviction moratorium. Read the NSW Government’s announcement of the support measures here.