Tighter restrictions in 12 suburbs within Penrith LGA

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
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12 suburbs within Penrith will be subject to tighter lockdown restrictions as of 5pm today.

Dozens of cases have been reported across the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District in recent days while numerous exposure sites have been listed.

It has lead to thousands of people being forced into isolation for 14 days, while testing lines in the local area have been huge.

The Premier has resisted the temptation to put the entire Penrith LGA under stricter rules given most of the new cases are in the eastern part of the region.

The suburbs are Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair and St Marys.

Under the new tightened rules, residents of these suburbs:

• Must only obtain food or other goods and services within 5km of your home
• Must exercise within 5km of your home
• You cannot travel to other areas for work unless you are an authorised worker
• Masks must be worn at all times outside your home regardless of proximity to others

 

But this has sparked confusion, given most people living within the listed suburbs could travel to a non-listed suburb and still be within 5km of their home.

The justification for the new rules has also created confusion. It was suggested suburbs were added to the list because they neighboured the Cumberland and Liverpool Local Government Areas, but that’s a stretch by any means.

Local residents in affected suburbs can still go to work if their workplace is in their suburb, or if they are an authorised worker, they can travel outside their area.

EXPLAINER: WHAT IS THE PENRITH LGA?

Troy Dodds

Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.


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