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Support for our community during extended lockdown

Published on 14 July 2021

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I hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe and well and I know this is a challenging time. Nobody wants the lockdown to go on longer than it needs to, but we need to get the case numbers down before we can safely end the lockdown.

We have today advised that the current lockdown will be extended for at least another two weeks to Friday 30 July, with online learning continuing for students.

I've been speaking with local businesses and residents doing it tough, and have been sharing their concerns with the Premier. We've taken these needs into account in shaping a comprehensive $5.1 billion economic and wellbeing support package which will be in place for people who need it for the duration of the lockdown. 

Financial and wellbeing support for our community

If you need support, there are a range of options available for the duration of the lockdown. This support package provides for people who have lost income, for businesses struggling, for affected renters and landlords, for those needing mental health care, and for those experiencing homelessness. Key parts of the package include:

• An extension of individual support payments to $600 per week if you have lost more than 20 hours of work, and $375 per week if you have lost between 8 and 20 hours of work
• Keeping people in jobs through grants to businesses that retain staff
• Expanding eligibility for cash grants to micro businesses with turnovers over $30,000
• Greater protection and support for tenants through an eviction moratorium and grants or land tax relief for landlords providing rent reductions
• Payroll tax relief
• A $17.35 million package for mental health services particularly for young people, families, multicultural communities, and those in isolation
• $12 million to provide more temporary accommodation for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness
• A $75 million support package targeted for the hard-hit performing arts sector
• A $26 million support package for the accommodation sector, heavily impacted by reduced tourism

To find out how the package can help you, you can use the Service NSW Assistance Finder. If you'd prefer to talk to someone, businesses can call Service NSW on 13 77 88, and individuals can call Services Australia on 180 22 66. Businesses can also register their interest through the Service NSW website. 

If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36. 

Learning from home Our school communities have once again adapted and transitioned to learning from home this week and I thank our teachers and staff (and parents!) for their hard work in supporting our students. Online learning will continue for another two weeks in line with the lockdown. 

Advice for families and students will be regularly updated and available here. For more information on early childhood learning, please visit this website. 

Local testing clinics

It is important to get tested if you have even mild symptoms of COVID-19 - and it's recommended your entire household is tested at the same time. Our closest testing clinics are:

• St Leonards: Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Road, The Douglas Building Carpark, St Leonards, open 8am-8pm 7 days a week
• Mosman drive-through: Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, 393 Military Rd (enter via Melrose St), Mosman, open 8:30am-4:30pm 7 days a week
• Willoughby drive-through: Willoughby Leisure Centre 2 Small Street, Willoughby, open 8am-4pm Mon-Thu and 8am-3pm Fri

You can confirm opening hours and see additional testing locations here. 

Vaccine rollout

The NSW Government is moving into a new phase of the vaccine rollout to ensure we can maximise the uptake of the vaccine. NSW Health vaccination clinics and centres will make the AstraZeneca vaccine available to people over 40 and will green-light pharmacies to do the same. If you're aged 18-39 and would like to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, please talk to a GP - if you don't have a regular GP, you can find those administering vaccinations here. The North Shore Electorate Office remains closed to the public while the stay-at-home provisions are in place, but we are here to help if you need assistance and you can call us on 9909 2594 or email us at northshore@parliament.nsw.gov.au. Take care 

Felicity Wilson MP

Member for North Shore