Premier Gladys Berejiklian has said NSW lockdown laws will remain for at least six months after the stateâs police commissioner previously said social distancing restrictions would be lifted after 90 days.
âThe time in which these restrictions apply is completely dependent on health advice,â the Premier told media on Friday. âIâm hoping as best case we donât go beyond what we have now.
âWeâre in it for at least six months,â she said. âUntil there is a cure, until there is at least a vaccine, this crisis is something we need to deal with. All of us have to come to terms with that.â
Berejiklianâs comments align with what the Prime Minister Scott Morrison has insisted in recent weeks, though on Friday morning he warned the restrictions across Australia âcould be longerâ than six months.
âIt could be longer â Iâm trying to prepare the country for the long haul,â the PM said during a radio interview on 2GB.
âWe need to ensure people can do this for that long. We donât want people to get frustrated, but it is going to be tough.â
On Thursday NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said tough social distancing rules that restrict Australians to leaving their home for only four reasons will be in place for at least 90 days in NSW.
âThere was a good question yesterday about when is the turn-off period for these orders. It is 90 days,â said Commissioner Fuller.
He said he doesnât plan to ask for an extension of the period that gives police powers to fine those who disobey the law.
âPeople will have gotten the message by then, hopefully,â he told media at a press conference.
âAnd we wonât be talking about the powers, weâll be talking about what does it look like coming out of this.â
Last week tough restrictions on leaving the house came into play, and authorities confirmed police will issue on the spot fines to enforce social distancing rules.
The government orders mean people in NSW could pay up to $11,000 in court ordered fines.
Public gatherings are now limited to only two people aside from members of your immediate household. The advice is to stay home unless youâre getting groceries, medical attention, picking up medication from a chemist or meeting one other person to exercise.
âIt means that if you need to exercise, we get it - go for a walk, sensibly, on your own. You can still meet a personal trainer if you have to,â Commissioner Fuller said last week.