Unpacking COVID rules: the 'medical reasons' Shoalhaven residents can travel to Wollongong, Shellharbour

And while "medical and caring reasons" are considered to be one of those reasonable excuses to leave home, there lacks a stringent definition online.

That's why this series of articles unpacks and clears up aspects of the rules as they apply to the Shoalhaven.

You can find our other explainers here:

Here's what we know.

Stay-at-home orders for regional and rural NSW are extended until at least 11:59pm on September 10, in line with existing orders for the Greater Sydney area.

Shoalhaven residents have to follow the stay at home rules and can only be away from their home with a "reasonable excuse", according to the NSW Health website.

Shoalhaven residents can only enter Greater Sydney (including Wollongong and the Blue Mountains) with a "reasonable excuse".

If you enter Greater Sydney for any reason, the NSW Health website outlines that stay at home rules will also apply to you for 14 days after you were last in any of these areas.

This means that you will need to stay at your place of residence in the Shoalhaven upon your return from Greater Sydney for 14 days, unless you have a reasonable excuse.

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Going out for "medical reasons" is considered a reasonable excuse to leave home.

The NSW Health website outlines that this includes "obtaining medical care or supplies - including obtaining a COVID-19 vaccination".

"Medical care" is defined broadly, as the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District has confirmed that Shoalhaven residents can leave home to attend "standard doctors appointments, specialist appointments and surgeries" in Wollongong and Shellharbour.

While Shoalhaven residents can travel outside of the LGA for surgery, some categories of surgeries have been placed on hold in Wollongong and Shellharbour to ensure resources required for COVID-19 patients remain available.

Wollongong recorded four new cases of COVID-19 while Shellharbour recorded one new case today, August 31.

Since August 23, non-urgent elective surgery has been temporarily paused at Wollongong Private Hospital, Shellharbour Private Hospital and Wollongong Hospital.

All emergency surgery and urgent elective surgery will continue unaffected at each hospital.

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From September 1, non-urgent elective surgery will also be temporarily postponed at Shellharbour Hospital.

"There is currently sufficient ICU capacity for all patients who require intensive care, with more than 500 beds available throughout the NSW system," an Illawarra Shoalhaven Health District spokesperson said.

"From September 1, Category C and non-urgent Category B elective surgery at Shellharbour Hospital will be postponed.

"All urgent elective surgery (Category A and B) will continue to be performed.

Read more: South Nowra Jail in lockdown to prevent COVID-19 outbreak

The ISLHD spokesperson those impacted by the changes will be contacted.

"Those waiting for non-urgent elective surgery who are impacted by the changes will be contacted and encouraged to contact their referring doctor should their condition deteriorate, so they can be re-prioritised to a more urgent category if required," the ISLHD spokesperson said.

"Postponing non-urgent surgery will support the state's healthcare workers as they manage the demands of the COVID-19 response, providing increased capacity to support health services for the people of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven region."

Ramsay Health's Nowra Private Hospital is still undertaking elective surgeries.

Read more: Shoalhaven nurses administering COVID-19 vaccine at impressive rates

Leaving home to attend a vaccine appointment is a valid medical reason.

The Shoalhaven Family Medical Centre confirms there are plenty of vaccine appointments across their four practices for AstraZeneca and Pfizer doses.

The Ulladulla Endoscopy and Medical Centre also has vaccination appointments for AstraZeneca and Pfizer.

Shoalhaven pharmacies are also administering AstraZeneca vaccines. You can find participating pharmacies here.

Appointments can be booked via hotdoc.com.au.

Read more: Which chemists in the Shoalhaven are administering the AstraZeneca vaccine

For further enquiries into NSW Public Health Orders, call Service NSW on 13 77 88.

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