New South Wales supermarkets and pharmacies will now be permitted to trade around the clock, offering greater flexibility to shoppers.

The temporary regulations will ensure communities have access to food and medical supplies at all times of the day.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said: “These orders cut red tape so we can move quickly and decisively to ensure the health, wellbeing and safety of our community during this time.

“The focus of our first order is giving people flexibility to visit their local supermarket, pharmacy or corner store at any time of day if those retail premises choose to operate for extended hours.

The new temporary rules will also extend to home-based businesses, which will also be able to operate at any time of day.

“For those businesses operating out of home, we are facilitating more flexible operating hours and increasing the number of people working together from two to five, providing they can abide by the social distancing rules,” Mr Stokes said.

South Australia was the first state to introduce 24/7 trading, which came into effect last Saturday, March 19.

The new trading hours will remain in place until the coronavirus crisis is deemed over.