Month: April 2020

In a NSW first, patients can opt-in to receive their COVID-19 pathology results via text message.
NSW Health Pathology’s secure automated SMS solution will see the average notification period for results halved, plus ease the pressure on busy hospital and laboratory staff.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more than 142,000 people had been tested and cleared, making it one of the highest testing rates in the world, and helping to stop the spread of the virus.
“We are able to test 5,000 patients per day, and while testing for COVID-19 only takes 6 to 8 hours from arrival of the sample at one of our specialist labs, the sheer volume has meant we haven’t been able to get results to patients quickly,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Using our new statewide SMS notification solution, patients who register will receive an automated SMS test result within six hours of the completion of the laboratory test.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the new service puts the patient first, reducing anxiety as quickly as possible and making life easier for them.
“Testing clinics are receiving thousands of calls from patients enquiring about their test results, which also puts increasing pressure on the health system,” Mr Dominello said
“By opting in to receive a text, patients can be informed of a negative result faster.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said both patients and medical professionals would benefit.
“This text indicating a negative result gives patients peace of mind and allows clinicians to dedicate more time to assisting patients who test positive,” Mr Hazzard said.
A statewide roll-out of this service in the coming weeks follows a successful pilot in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health Districts and Wollongong, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven Fever Clinics.
The SMS notification system will integrate with existing statewide security and other support infrastructure to ensure patient privacy and data integrity is maintained.
The service is only available to patients who are tested at a NSW public hospital or Fever Clinic. It is not available for patients tested by private pathology providers, however they can still access their result through their GP and in some instances My Health Record. Patients who test positive for the virus will still have their results reported immediately to their referring doctor and public health unit.
The initiative was developed in collaboration with Amazon Web Services, Deloitte Australia and Microsoft.
An enhanced Service NSW app is also being built that will provide customers with real-time updates on COVID-19 and more personalised health and non-health advice.
For the latest information on COVID-19 visit www.nsw.gov.au

NSW commercial tenants significantly impacted by COVID-19 will have greater protection from evictions with the State Government set to enact the National Cabinet Code of Conduct as part of a $440 million land tax relief package.
The measures will apply to commercial leases where the tenant is in financial distress due to COVID-19, including but not limited to shops, cafes, gyms, hairdressers, restaurants, offices, warehouses and industrial sites.
The land tax relief is expected to be divided approximately 50-50 with around $220 million going to the commercial sector and a further $220 million expected to benefit the residential sector.
Commercial landlords will be offered the land tax concession if they pass the savings on to tenants through a rent reduction.
Eligible landlords will be able to apply for a land tax concession of up to 25 per cent of their 2020 (calendar year) land tax liability on relevant properties. A further land tax deferral for any outstanding amounts for a three-month period will also be offered to landlords who claim the land tax concession.
The Government will give effect to the Code of Conduct, which will operate for a temporary period during the pandemic, and include the following key measures:

• Landlords must negotiate rent relief agreements with tenants in financial distress due to COVID-19 by applying the leasing principles in the Code;
• A ban on the termination of a lease for non-payment of rent;
• A freeze in rent increases.
• To facilitate these changes, and deliver increased mediation and advisory services to commercial parties, the NSW Small Business Commission will be bolstered with extra staff and an injection of $10 million from the $1 billion Working for NSW Fund.

The policy will apply to business tenants with a turnover of less than $50 million that experience a 30 per cent (or more) reduction in revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in line with the Prime Minister’s announcement on 7 April.
This will include any business with annual turnover of less than $50 million who is eligible for the Commonwealth’s JobKeeper program.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet welcomed the initiatives, saying they would help businesses stay afloat and provide greater surety for tenants and landlords.
“This provides a way forward for tenants and landlords so they can reach an agreement during this difficult period and includes an incentive in the form of a land tax reduction.” Mr Perrottet said.
“I thank the many landlords who are already supporting their tenants through this period and the banks for showing flexibility with deferring loan repayments – we are all in this together and need to work together.”
Finance and Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope said the package demonstrated the need for a united effort to endure the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Breathing room on rent is one of the most frequently raised issues by businesses, and we want to ensure we protect retailers and offer landlords an incentive to do so. We also want to ensure retail tenants have more time and options,” Mr Tudehope said.
“For any small business rent is one of the biggest fixed costs, easing this burden will help operators survive and keep people employed.”
Mr Perrottet said it was important that both landlords and tenants understood that the policy only applied to those businesses significantly impacted by COVID-19.
“If your circumstances have not significantly changed you need to fulfil the terms of your existing agreement.” Mr Perrottet said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison released the National Cabinet Mandatory Code Of Conduct – SME Leasing Principles During COVID-19 on Tuesday, 7 April.
The NSW Government will seek to give legal effect to the code as soon as possible.

Residential tenants and landlords facing financial hardship due to COVID-19 will receive increased support and greater certainty from the NSW Government’s new temporary rental support measures announced today.
The six-month support package includes a moratorium on applications for forced evictions due to rental arrears for those financially disadvantaged by COVID-19, and new requirements for landlords and tenants to enter into negotiations over rental payments in good faith.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said an interim 60-day moratorium on finalising existing matters, or making new applications to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for forced evictions over rent arrears related to COVID-19, sends a clear message that the process is not optional.
“We know many people are worried about meeting their financial commitments at the moment. That is why we need more stability for tenants and landlords while the new Commonwealth income support payments are rolled-out, and landlords talk to their bank about mortgage relief,” Mr Anderson said.
Where a household is struggling to make rental payments and has suffered a loss of income equal to or greater than 25 per cent due to COVID-19, there is a new obligation to enter into negotiations with their landlord or managing agent, prior to seeking a forced end to the tenancy.
Tenants will be protected from eviction until NCAT is satisfied that negotiations have concluded. Any unpaid rent will accrue as arrears during this period.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Government was allocating around $440 million towards rent relief in the form of land tax waivers or rebates – with the expectation that this would be split approximately evenly between business and residential landlords.
Mr Perrottet said residential landlords would be eligible for a land tax waiver or rebate of up to 25 per cent if they passed the saving on to tenants in financial distress.
“This is effectively a $220 million commitment in the residential sector from the NSW Government to help encourage both landlords and tenants to reach agreement on rent reductions during this difficult time,” Mr Perrottet said.
“It’s also important that tenants suffering financial distress as a result of COVID-19 will not be blacklisted for the accrual of rental arrears during this time.”
Mr Anderson said it was important that both landlords and tenants continued to honour existing agreements to the extent possible.
“No reasonable person wants to end a tenancy right now, which is why we are supporting renters and landlords to negotiate new temporary terms, so tenants keep a roof over their head, and landlords aren’t left without rental income for the next six-months.
“For some people this may be a daunting experience, so to boost available support we’ve announced a one-off $2.5 million boost to tenancy advocacy and advice services across the state.”
Tenants and landlords will also have access to assistance from Fair Trading and access to the NCAT to resolve matters after the end of the 60-day period:

• NSW Fair Trading’s dispute resolution service will be available to assist if the parties are unable to re-negotiate and agree on new rental arrangements, backed by Fair Trading’s existing legal powers;
• NCAT will be available to make appropriate orders in light of the current circumstances where the parties are unwilling or unable to reach an agreement and action is taken to seek an eviction;
• Action is also being taken to ensure that evictions for reasons not related to rent arrears are also stayed to minimise avoidable housing disruption and movement. The usual periods of required notice under the Residential Tenancies Act will be increased from the minimum of 30 days up to 90 days for terminations due to fixed or periodic leases ending, or other agreement breaches.
• Landlords will however continue to be able to seek to recover premises due to their own genuine hardship. Tenants will also continue to be able to apply to the Tribunal to terminate a fixed-term tenancy on the basis of hardship.
• Tenants will be protected from being added to tenancy databases (or ‘blacklists’) for breaches of agreements resulting from COVID-19 impacts.

“I encourage landlords and tenants to approach this new process with an open mind and an empathetic ear. It is important to learn about each other’s current position in order to better support each other during these extraordinary times,” Mr Anderson said.
Tenants, landlords and agents can find up to date information and resources at nsw.gov.au.

Doctors can prescribe medicines via email or fax from April 17, making it more convenient for patients to access medications from their pharmacists during the COVID-19 crisis.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said under the NSW Government changes announced today GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to send a digital image of the prescription.
“These changes are designed to make accessing your medications easier and safer, particularly for those in the community with chronic conditions,” Mr Hazzard said.
“It ensures people with compromised immune systems will not need to go to the doctor’s surgery in person and can get their script entirely through a telehealth appointment.”
Only allowing scripts to be sent by email or fax rather than via text to a pharmacist, will stop potential prescription forgery and diversion to the criminal supply chain.
The regulation amendment follows other recent changes including the strengthening of laws against people who spit or cough on health workers, including pharmacy staff.
President of the Pharmacy Guild of NSW, David Heffernan, said the new $5,000 fines send a clear message that frontline healthcare workers should be treated with respect.
“Community pharmacists and their staff are working tirelessly to put patients’ needs first, often under stressful conditions and we will be here until the end,” Mr Heffernan said.
NSW Health is also addressing the availability of prescription and over-the-counter medicines by introducing limits to ensure equitable access. Pharmacists are also able to dispense certain medications without a prescription and can stay open 24/7.
Families can also take advantage of an initiative announced earlier this year, enabling pharmacists to administer flu vaccines to anyone over 10 years of age.
Advice to pharmacists is available at Advice for community pharmacies on COVID-19.

Bushfire-affected landholders will now have access to their share of up to $209 million to help cover the cost of rebuilding boundary fences, after Deputy Premier John Barilaro today launched the NSW Government’s ‘Supporting our Neighbours’ project.
Mr Barilaro said the project, funded through the Government’s $2.3 billion COVID-19 stimulus package, would not only help farmers recover, but would provide a much-needed shot in the arm for regional economies at a critical time.
“Under this package, we will provide up to $5,000 per kilometre for the purchase of materials to rebuild existing fences adjoining public lands damaged by the summer fires, which will go a long way to helping farmers cover the cost,” Mr Barilaro said.
“This is a great opportunity for all landholders to engage the services of their local contractors at a time when supporting local businesses has never been more vital.
“This is about helping bushfire-affected communities get back on their feet and so we are doing everything we can to make sure that happens.”
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said the funding would be delivered through a one-off grant, which would also be issued retrospectively to help cover the costs already incurred by landholders.
“We know this has been a major issue for fire-affected farmers and we’ve listened to those concerns,” Mr Marshall said.
“We will have dedicated boundary fence coordinators working with farmers to identify their needs and negotiate with the public land managers to ensure money gets into farmers’ pockets as soon as possible.
“We’re encouraging landholders to use this opportunity to upgrade their fencing bordering public lands and use fire resilient materials wherever possible. Landholders who have already started rebuilding can still receive a backdated payment.”
For more information about the program visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au. Eligible landholders can apply for the program online at the LLS website, by expressing their interest for a callback service via one of the 11 regional LLS Facebook pages or by calling 1300 778 080.

Healthcare workers will now have access to free parking at public hospital car parks, as the NSW Government works to ease the burden on our hospital workers during this health crisis.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government is doing everything it can to reduce the stress on our health staff who are working around the clock during this pandemic.
“Our healthcare workers are on the frontline of our battle with COVID-19 and we need to do whatever we can to support them during this difficult time,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We hope this new measure makes life a little easier for our doctors, nurses and other hospital staff who are working hard to keep us all safe.”
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the new measures would take effect across NSW from today, April 10, 2020.
“This means all rostered on staff from doctors, nurses and allied health staff to our other frontline heroes – the cleaners and security staff who make sure our hospitals run smoothly – can park for free at public hospital car parks,” said Mr Hazzard.
“It is critical that our frontline workers are able to access their place of work as easily as possible and we are taking these measures to ensure that is the case.”
The NSW Government is working with local councils to see how they can support hospital staff during this period, whether that be by removing timed parking around hospitals or exercising discretion with parking fines.
“I would like to commend local councils who are already assisting by improving car parking for staff around our hospitals,” Mr Hazzard said.
Health Services Union Secretary Gerard Hayes said these changes will go a long way to ensure our health workers are well supported during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a stressful time for our hospital staff, who are doing vital work to keep the community safe, and these measures announced by the NSW Government will ensure they are supported during this health crisis,” Mr Hayes said.
The Ministry of Health is negotiating with private car park operators at NSW public hospitals to ensure staff are able to access these car parks at no cost to their employee.
The NSW Government previously announced a $2.3 billion stimulus package in relation to COVID-19, including $700 million for NSW Health to significantly increase capacity in NSW public hospitals, particularly within ICUs.
In addition, the NSW Government has also announced $100 million to support the response to COVID-19 including free accommodation for NSW public hospital healthcare workers.

Police have charged four people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 58 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) since the last update.
Charges:

• About 6.45pm on Saturday (11 April 2020), officers from Police Transport Command spoke to a 21-year-old Penrith man on Eddy Avenue, Haymarket, who had no reasonable excuse to be in the area. Checks revealed he had been warned on two occasions in the last week. He was issued a $1000 PIN and moved on. About 8.30pm, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command attended a hotel on George Street, Sydney, following reports of a domestic violence incident. Police spoke with the 21-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl, with checks revealing the previous incident and that man was not to be at the location. He was taken to Day Street Police Station, where his PIN was rescinded, and he was charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was granted bail at court yesterday and is next due to appear at Penrith Local Court on Wednesday 3 June 2020.

• Officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were stopped at traffic lights at the intersection of Mona Vale and Telegraph Roads, St Ives, when they observed a Corolla travel at speed through the intersection as the lights turned from yellow to red. Police activated their lights and followed the vehicle before it pulled over on Cowan Street, where they spoke to the 25-year-old male driver. Checks revealed the man was disqualified from driving and had previously been charged for driving during the disqualification period, and the car he was driving was listed as stolen. A subsequent roadside drug test allegedly returned a positive result and after being arrested and taken to Hornsby Police Station, a secondary test returned a positive result for methylamphetamine, cocaine and cannabis. The Greenacre man was charged with not stop at stop line at yellow light, exceed speed more than 20km/h-estimated, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, drive vehicle, illicit drug present in blood and not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Monday 13 April 2020).

• Officers from Surry Hills Police Area Command were patrolling Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, about 3pm (Sunday 12 April 2020), when they located a man asleep on the footpath. Checks revealed the 49-year-old man was in breach of his bail and during a subsequent search, police located six alprazolam tablets, which were not prescribed to him. The Bankstown man, who had previously been warned under the Public Health Act told police he was out visiting friends. He was taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where he was charged with possess prohibited drug and not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Monday 13 April 2020).

• About 3.45pm (Sunday 12 April 2020), officers from Blue Mountains Police Area Command had arrested a man during a police operation outside a home on the Great Western Highway, Mt Victoria, when another man arrived at the property and started filming on his phone. The man moved very close to the officers – well inside social distancing requirements – before trying to go inside the home. Police directed the man to move away and film from the footpath, but he stated he was a sovereign citizen and it was illegal to give him directions. After an officer attempted to physically move the man away, he allegedly resisted and wrestled with the officer until he was eventually arrested. The 55-year-old man was taken to resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, refuse/fail to comply with direction under Part 14, and not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Monday 13 April 2020).

PINs of note include:

• Just before 10pm on Saturday (11 April 2020), officers from Parramatta Police Area Command attended a serviced apartment complex on Church Street, Parramatta, following reports of noise complaints from hotel staff. Police found six people inside the apartment, who allegedly told officers they were there to drink alcohol. Four people – including two men, aged 32 and 37, and two women, aged 25 and 29 – were each issued $1000 PINs.

• In a separate incident, officers returned to the Parramatta serviced apartment complex, following further noise complaints, about 12.30am (Sunday 12 April 2020). On arrival, police found seven people inside one of the apartments, when the hotel only had knowledge of two people. Police found smoke pipes inside and will allege the smoke alarms had been removed. A 25-year-old woman had also attended as an adult entertainer. Four people – including two men, aged 19 and 22, and two women, aged 20 and 30 – were each issued $1000 PINs.

• About 2.30am (Sunday 12 April 2020), officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol detected an Audi A6 allegedly speeding on Parramatta Road, Homebush West. When the car allegedly failed to stop, a pursuit commenced. After a short time, the vehicle stopped on Loftus Crescent, Homebush, before allegedly reversing and ramming the marked police vehicle. The Audi allegedly rammed the police car for a second time, causing damage, before driving away. Police followed the vehicle for a short time before terminating the pursuit. A short time later, the Audi crashed into the back of a Toyota Camry at the intersection of Plaza and Parramatta roads. The passenger of the Camry suffered head and facial injuries; all other occupants of the vehicles received minor injuries. The Audi driver, a 22-year-old man, was arrested and taken to hospital for mandatory testing. He was then taken to Auburn Police Station, where he was charged with a number of offences, including: police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, motor vehicle exceed speed of 20km/h, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving , cause bodily harm by misconduct, owner not disclose identity of driver/passenger, and not give particulars to police. He was also issued $1000 PIN. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Thursday 4 June 2020.

• Officers from South Coast Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle on the Princess Highway, Lake Tabourie, about 5pm on Saturday (11 April 2020), for the purpose of a random breath test. The driver, a 38-year-old woman from Ulladulla, allegedly told police she travelled to Batemans Bay on Thursday (9 April 2020) for the Easter break. She was issued a $1000 PIN for non-essential travel.

• About 2.30pm (Sunday 12 April 2020), officers from St George Police Area Command attended a unit on Gertrude Street, Wolli Creek, following a noise complaint. On arrival, police spoke to the occupant, a 31-year-old woman, who allegedly claimed she was “having a party with friends.” Four people – including three men, aged 22, 31 and 34, and a 32-year-old woman – were all issued $1000 PINs.

• About 8.50pm (Sunday 12 April 2020), officers from Blacktown Police Area Command were patrolling on Campbell Street, Blacktown when they noticed two men leaving a carpark. The men, aged 20 and 22, told police they had met with friends and that they had previously been warned by police in relation to social gatherings. They were both issued a $1000 PIN.

• A 48-year-old Canley Vale man has been issued with a $1000 PIN by officers from Leichhardt Police Area Command for failing to comply with a Public Health Order after he attempted to get on a fully marked police motorcycle parked at the intersection of Glebe Point Road and the Great Western Highway, about 8.20am last Friday (10 April 2020).

• A 23-year-old Wodonga man has been issued with a $1000 PIN after officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command stopped a motorcycle at Glenroy, north west of Albury, on Saturday (11 April 2020). The man, who was riding an unregistered and uninsured motorcycle, admitted to travelling across the border from his home in Victoria to visit friends in New South Wales.

• About 9.30pm on Saturday (11 April 2020), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter District were conducting proactive patrols and spoke to two men – aged 19 and 25 – in the carpark of a sports field at Thornton. Inquiries revealed the men had attended the location to smoke cannabis, which was found in their possession. The younger man was also found to be carrying a box knife. The pair were issued with $1000 PINS and cannabis cautions, while the younger man was also issued an infringement for custody of a knife.

• Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were called to Liverpool Street, Sydney CBD, about 9pm on Saturday (11 April 2020), following reports of a public disturbance. Police spoke to an 18-year-old man who was allegedly harassing members of the public and told police he had been drinking with friends in Chatswood. He was issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 9pm on Saturday (11 April 2020), officers from Chifley Police District attended a camp site in the Newnes State Forest, about 15km from Lithgow, after reports of a group of people camping. They group was moved on, as they did not live together and or have a reasonable excuse for being away from home. Four men – aged 18, 19, 32 and 48 – were issued with $1000 PINs.

• About 8.30am (Sunday 12 April), a 22-year-old man and 21-year-old woman were each issued a $1000 PIN after allegedly breaking into the vacant Queen Victoria Hospital, at Wentworth Falls. Officers from Chifley Police District are continuing to investigate.

• Just before midday on Saturday (11 April 2020), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District stopped an 18-year-old man, who was walking with three friends, on Grenache Street, Bonnells Bay. He had previously received a warning from police last Thursday (9 April 2020), and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN. The other males were moved on from the area.

• Officers from Oxley Police District stopped a Mazda 3 on Robert Street, South Tamworth, just before 10pm last Wednesday (8 April 2020), for the purpose of a random breath test. The driver, a 17-year-old girl, returned a negative result. The passengers – two men, aged 21 and 30 – had previously been issued warnings under the Public Health Act. They were both subsequently issued $1000 PINs.

• About 2.45pm last Thursday (9 April 2020), officers from Richmond Police District were patrolling when the observed two occupants in a Nissan X-Trail at the end of Burns Point Ferry Road, West Ballina, drinking alcohol. The 38-year-old man and 61-year-old woman, both from Byron Bay, were issued a $1000 PIN for non-essential travel.

• Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District stopped a vehicle on Bent Street, Yamba, about 8.20pm (Sunday 12 April 2020). When speaking to the driver, a 35-year-old man, police will allege he changed his story for travelling several times and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 3.10am (Sunday 12 April 2020), officers from South Sydney Police Area Command stopped a Ford Utility at the intersection of Wilson Street and the Princes Highway at Newtown, after the car allegedly drove through a red light. Officers issued the male driver and female passenger – both aged 20 – with $1000 PINs after they admitted they wanted to get away from their family for the night. The driver was also issued with a traffic infringement.

• About 11.50pm on Saturday (11 April 2020), officers from Camden Police Area Command were conducting proactive patrols on Main Street, Mt Annan, when they attempted to speak with the occupants of a vehicle parked outside a shopping centre. When police approached the vehicle, the car was driven from the scene before stopping at a nearby service station. The driver, a 24-year-old woman, and her passenger, a 21-year-old woman, were issued with $1000 PINs for failing to comply with a Public Health Order. The driver was also issued with a traffic infringement after checks confirmed her licence is currently disqualified.

Since 17 March 2020, police have issued 57 Court Attendance Notices, and 464 PINs for breaches of the Public Health Act.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.