GATHERING IN PUBLIC PLACES (2 PERSON GATHERING RULE)

Post date: Mar 30, 2020 8:54:26 PM

The Health Minister has issued Directions under s 7 of the Public Health Act directing that a person must not to leave their place of residence without reasonable excuse - the Stay at Home Rule. If a person has a reasonable excuse to leave their residence, they must comply with the 2 Person Gathering Rule. (Gazette 2020 2020-65 below attached)

WHAT IS A REASONABLE EXCUSE FOR A PERSON TO LEAVE THEIR HOME?

A reasonable excuse includes:

(a) shopping for food or other goods or services for personal needs of the household or other household purposes (including for pets) and for vulnerable persons;

(b) travelling to work provided the person cannot reasonably work from home (including pick up and drop off by another person);

(c) travelling to childcare or education (including pick up and drop off by another person);

(d) exercising;

(e) obtaining medical care or supplies, fulfilling carer’s responsibilities, providing personal care to a vulnerable person, or providing emergency assistance;

(f) attending a wedding or funeral service (5 and 10 person rules apply);

(g) moving house or moving between different places of residence of a person or inspecting a potential new place of residence;

(h) donating blood;

(i) fulfilling a legal obligation (attending court, satisfying bail requirements, visiting your solicitor);

(j) accessing public services, including social services, employment services, DV services, mental health services etc;

(k) access visits for children to parents in different homes;

(l) escaping risk of harm (eg DV) or assisting a person to escape risk of harm;

(m) emergencies or compassionate reasons.

Taking a holiday in a regional area is not a reasonable excuse!

This Direction DOES NOT apply to a person who is homeless.

If a person has a reasonable excuse for being away from home, they must not participate in a gathering in a public place with more than 2 people (except if they are with other members of their household).

A household means any persons living together in the same place of residence.

The following gatherings are exempt from the 2 Person Rule:

Exempt

  • Gatherings with a person’s household (family or flatmates)

  • Work

  • Care/assistance for vulnerable persons

  • Weddings (5 persons) or funerals (10 persons)

  • Moving house or business

  • Providing emergency assistance to a person

  • Emergency services

  • Going to court or getting legal advice

  • Parliament where used for normal purposes

Exempt (where used for normal purposes)

    • Residential premises are not public places

    • Transport in private vehicles, car share, public transport, platforms, stations

    • Hospitals, health care, disability & aged care

    • Correctional facilities, youth justice

    • Supermarkets, food markets, grocery stores and shopping centres

    • Retail stores (4 sqm rule applies)

    • Schools, universities, educational facilities, childcare

    • Office buildings, factories, mines, farms, constriction sites

    • Hotels, motels, other accommodation facilities

    • Outdoor thoroughfares (eg Pitt St Mall)