Coronavirus: How the ACT's new COVID-19 laws will affect you

What does this mean for you? What penalties could you face? How do NSW laws differ? Can you go to you boyfriend or girlfriend's house? We take a look at how this direction will affect Canberrans.

If you are adhering to social distancing measures it is unlikely that police will move you on, or fine you.

Social distancing measures mean that there must only be one person per four-square metres. No more than two people can meet outside.

In a press conference, ACT Chief Police Officer Ray Johnson said that police officers will focus on educating the public on new measures, rather than penalising individuals for minor issues.

"Our intention isn't to fine people to drive enforcement -that is an absolute last resort.

"You may well be approached by police officers who will be asking you questions and provide guidance to you."

Johnson also commended the ACT community for their behaviour so far in the crisis.

"The ACT community have been really responsive. The vast majority of people in the community are doing the right thing, and are trying to do the right thing all the time."

He also said clear or intentional violations of the law will be prosecuted.

"If you think you are going to make a joke of this you are wrong," he said.

So if you jog just a little bit too close to someone else, you won't get fined or arrested.

The maximum fine an individual can face for going against these measures is $8000. This is for the equivalent for 50 penalty units.

Additionally, ACT policing are able to give people who violate these a $1000 fine on the spot.

A body corporate can also face a maximum penalty of a $40,500 fine.

Utilities that are body corporates face a maximum $1,620,000 fine.

NSW has slightly different measures and penalties to ACT.

Similarly in NSW you cannot meet with more than one other person in public, outside some exceptions including weddings and funerals.

In NSW, the measures state that "a person must not, without reasonable excuse, leave the person's place of residence". Reasonable excuses include medical care, buying food and necessary supplies, travelling to work or education if you are unable to work or study at home, and exercise.

It also states "taking a holiday in a regional area is not a reasonable excuse". This may be to curb people from travelling to holiday houses to self isolate.

NSW has greater maximum fines than ACT for breaching social distancing. This includes leaving the house without a reasonable excuse.

Individuals can face fines up to $11,000, or jail time of six months, or both and an additional $5500 fine per day if social distancing breaches continue.

Like ACT, NSW police may issue $1000 on the spot fines for breaching social distancing.

For companies, the maximum penalty is $55,000 with further fines of $27,500 for each day the offence continues.

Unlike the ACT, NSW faces many more cases of COVID-19, and therefore are taking stronger actions.

You can, but it might not be a lot of fun.

According to this new direction "an occupier of residential premises must not permit more than 2 persons, other than persons ordinarily resident at the premises, to enter and remain in the premises".

So, you can allow up to two people who you do not live with to come to your house in ACT.

However, this can only happen if social distancing restrictions of one person per four square meters are adhered to inside the house. That means no high-fives, no handshakes and no hugs.

Additionally, your can't enter your boyfriend or girlfriend's house if there isn't enough space in the property to adhere to one person per four-square metre rule.

Finally, your significant other cannot come over if there is already two other people who do not live in your residence already there.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Chief Minister Andrew Barr described ordering takeaway coffee while adhering to social distancing a "relatively low risk activity".

Mr Barr said that this is based on national advice, and it may change depending on the progress of COVID-19.

Mr Barr also noted that changes to businesses needed to be sustainable for an indefinite period.

"This is not a one or two week thing, this is not a one or two month thing, this is really a situation we'll be living with for quite some time," he said.

"Decisions on shutting down activities in our community are not taken lightly and the best health advice is observed by state, territory and Commonwealth governments."

Mr Barr suggested that keeping cafes open for takeaway was in line with NSW and avoided creating dangerous situations in towns neighbouring Canberra.

"If I make a unilateral decision to close certain activities in Canberra that will just push that activity over to Queanbeyan, if Queanbeyan doesn't follow exactly the same situation," Mr Barr said.

For those who may be concerned that these measures do not go far enough, Mr Barr stressed that staying home is a reliable option. "If individuals have any concerns and they want to eliminate all risk in their life then don't leave your home and that the best advice we can give you," he said.

"But it is very difficult to live like that for the rest of the year and so we have to put in place a set of measures that balances risk against life's essentials."

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