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NSW COVID-19 statistics
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NSW recorded 19 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night from 67,000 tests. Check the latest confirmed exposure venues here. This information is being updated as cases are confirmed and locations are verified.
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Personal Injury Commission response to NSW restrictions
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The Personal Injury Commission (PIC) has provided an update on changes to its operations from Monday 28 June 2021 to respond to the Public Health Order issued on 26 June 2021. Medical assessments currently scheduled to take place in Greater Sydney (including the local government areas of the Central Coast, the City of Shellharbour and the City of Wollongong) between Monday 28 June – Friday 9 July 2021 will either be rescheduled or proceed via videoconference. Further information is available here.
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Law Society Library update
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The Law Society library is closed to visitors but is still operational. We will continue to provide the profession with access to resources from the Law Society Library collection as well as assistance with research. Read the full update here.
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Family Court and Federal Circuit Court: subpoena arrangements
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The Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court of Australia have put in place arrangements with regard to accessing subpoenaed material during the lockdown affecting the Sydney, Parramatta and Wollongong registries. In order to reduce the amount of staff, practitioners and litigants physically attending the registry buildings, the Courts have put in place a temporary procedure to permit parties and practitioners to inspect and copy subpoenaed material where they have a trial up to the end of August and the information is of an urgent or priority nature. The arrangements can be viewed here.
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District Court applications to vary bail
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On and from 29 June 2021 to 9 July 2021, at the Downing Centre, John Maddison Tower, Campbelltown, Gosford, Katoomba, Parramatta, Penrith and Wollongong,
all applications to vary bail will be dealt with by a Judge in chambers except in compelling cases. Personal appearances will not be permitted at any time. In a compelling case where a hearing is required, the application will be heard electronically by using the Virtual Courtroom. Before making an application to vary bail, the defendant must notify the prosecution of the bail condition(s) that is sought to be varied and the prosecution must notify the defendant whether it consents to the application. All emails to an associate of a Judge concerning a bail application must be copied to the other party in the proceedings. Read the virtual court user guide for practitioners here.
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Coroner’s Court update
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The NSW State Coroner, Teresa O’Sullivan, has advised the procedures that will apply in relation to the conduct of coronial proceedings at the Lidcombe Forensic Medicine and Coroners Court Complex (FMCCC), for matters listed from 28 June 2021. All hearings listed between 28 June 2021 & 9 July 2021 will be adjourned to a future hearing date, unless they can proceed using audio visual links (AVL). Read the full memorandum here.
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Vaccine update: AstraZeneca available to under 40s through GPs
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Anyone under the age of 40 can now approach their GP and request the AstraZeneca vaccine. Pfizer remains the recommended vaccine for Australians under the age of 60, with states and territories now allowing people aged between 40 and 59 to book appointments to get the shot. National Cabinet noted last night that GPs can continue to administer AstraZeneca to Australians under 60 years of age with informed consent. The Commonwealth will establish a COVID-19 professional indemnity scheme to provide additional certainty to healthcare practitioners who are providing advice to people in relation to COVID-19 vaccination. The scheme covers COVID-19 vaccines approved by the TGA and approved for use in the vaccine program, and the Cabinet hopes this measure will provide confidence to medical practitioners to administer both AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines.
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National Cabinet statement
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The National Cabinet held an urgent meeting last night amidst outbreaks of COVID-19 in a number of states and territories. The National Cabinet discussed mandatory vaccinations for aged care workers, quarantine, indemnity arrangements for COVID-19 vaccinations (as referenced above), aviation, interstate freight transport and mining (FIFO) workers. Read the statement that was issued following last night’s meeting here.
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Solicitor Outreach Service
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The Law Society of NSW’s Solicitor Outreach Service (SOS) connects NSW solicitors to confidential, psychological support. Call the Solicitor Outreach Service on 1800 592 296 for access to: up to three psychological sessions per financial year, paid for by the Law Society of NSW and 24/7 telephone counselling with a psychologist if you are in crisis or distress. Read more here.
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Law Society COVID-19 portal
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For the latest information on COVID-19’s impact on the legal profession, including changes to court arrangements, government resources, and advice on CPD, remote supervision and workplace entitlements, check the Law Society of NSW’s dedicated COVID-19 portal here.
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COVID-19 support package to help NSW businesses
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The NSW Government today announced a major new grants package and changes to the Dine & Discover program to help tens of thousands of small businesses and people across NSW impacted by the current COVID-19 restrictions. The package includes grants of between $5000 and $10,000 for small businesses, payroll tax deferrals for all employers, an extension of the Dine & Discover program to 31 August and the ability for people to use Dine & Discover vouchers for takeaway delivered directly to their home by the venue itself. Businesses will be able to apply for the grants through Service NSW from later in July and will need to show a decline in turnover across a minimum two-week period after the commencement of major restrictions on June 26. Read the Government’s release here.
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