Currently, up to 20 visitors can visit another household at any one time, including children.

However, if you are over 70 or have a pre-existing medical condition, it is recommended you limit the number of visitors and take care at all times.

Under the new public health order, anyone who has been in Victoria within the last 14 days cannot enter NSW except in special circumstances.

I've spoken to several local businesses who have advised they are currently not accepting business from people who have been to Victoria in the last 14 days, which I think is understandable at the present time.

No more than 20 people are allowed to gather outside in a public place, and a maximum of 20 people per class applies to gyms and similar recreational classes.

For community sporting activities involving more than 20 participants, the organiser must have a COVID-19 safety plan.

You can find out more about this by going to: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/covid-safe-businesses

Funerals at funeral homes can now have up to 50 attendees, provided non-household contacts can maintain 1.5 metres of physical distance from one another.

If the funeral is held at a place of residence, there can be the greater of 50 people or one person per 4 square metres of space.

Weddings are now also subject to the one person per 4 square metre rule.

The rules are complex, but it's important we all just do our best to get through this time.

Regular hand washing, using hand sanitizer, and maintaining social distance are still as important as ever.

If you have any questions about the social distancing rules as they apply to your situation, I encourage you to call the dedicated contact number, which is available 24/7, on 13 77 88.

Of course, Canowindra's drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic is still available from Monday to Friday, from 9:10am to 10:10am.

I encourage you to get tested if you display any flu-like symptoms.

Please note this testing is by appointment only. To book please contact Canowindra Hospital on 6364 4300.

There is an opportunity for feedback from the community on Crown Land use.

The draft State Strategic Plan for Crown Land identifies key priority areas to enable the use of crown land to evolve and meet changing community needs.

The draft plan identifies outcomes for each of these priority areas, as well as short, medium and long term timeframes from 2020 through to 2030.

A range of initiatives to support the delivery of the outcomes are also identified in the draft plan.

These include:

You can download a copy of the Draft State Strategic Plan by going to https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/lands/public/on-exhibition/draft-state-strategic-plan-for-crown-land

Feedback on the draft State Strategic Plan for Crown land can be provided until midnight Thursday, August 20, 2020, either using the online submission tool on the website, or by the postal address also provided.

To look after our local economy, and help ensure our local people stay employed, please shop locally whenever you can.

While it's tempting to click a button and order online from somewhere in the city, or even overseas, doing so sends money outside our community.

We can still visit the local shops while taking care to maintain social distance and practice good hygiene.

Country communities are likely to suffer the biggest financial impacts from this virus, but if we work together we can certainly lessen that impact.