Circulars

What’s new or changing

• The Public Health (COVID-19 General) Order 2021 (the Public Health Order) has been amended by the Public Health (COVID-19 General) Amendment Order (No 8) to clarify the operation and application of the Public Health Order to voting and other activities at the local government elections.
• The Public Health order and the amendment to it are available here.

What this will mean for your council

• Among other things, the amended order provides the following:
  • Masks remain compulsory in an indoor area of premises other than a place of residence, including premises being used as a polling place or voting centre.
  • Unvaccinated persons may attend premises being used as a polling place or voting centre that would normally be closed to unvaccinated persons to vote at, or participate in the conduct of, an election.
  • Unvaccinated persons may participate in an outdoor public gathering of more than 2 persons if they are voting at, or participating in the conduct of, an election.
  • In areas subject to a stay at home order, it is a reasonable excuse to be away from a person’s place of residence to attend a polling place or voting centre to vote at, or participate in the conduct of, an election. Currently, no areas are subject to a stay at home order.

Where to go for further information

• For further information please contact the Council Governance Team on
  02 4428 4100 or by email at olg@olg.nsw.gov.au .