With 104 active COVID-19 cases confirmed in the Hunter New England region this weekend, Mayor of Dungog Shire, Councillor John Connors, is asking all residents to only shop within the Local Government Area to prevent the spread of the disease within the Dungog community.
"With all of NSW now in lockdown, NSW Health has extended the lockdown period until 12.01am on Sunday 22 August and updated the restrictions for all regional communities such as ours across the state," says Mayor Connors.
"To protect the health and safety of our community, I am urging all residents to please shop within Dungog Shire only, as many nearby shopping destinations are now COVID-19 hotspots."
Aldi Raymond Terrace, Coles at Branxton and Medowie, and Woolworths at Maitland are among some of the latest Hunter locations to be listed as COVID-19 exposure sites.
"Of the 9 new cases in the Hunter yesterday, 3 were in Newcastle, 3 were in Port Stephens, 2 were in Maitland and 1 was in Lake Macquarie, as well as high viral loads detected in sewage from Medowie, Raymond Terrace and Williamtown," adds Mayor Connors.
"Dungog Shire currently has 0 cases and I'm asking all residents to exercise common sense and do the right thing so we can keep it that way."
Mayor Connors explains that shopping within the LGA also helps to support local businesses in the current 'lockdown economy.'
"We have a range of grocery stores providing essential items within Dungog Shire and we should be doing everything we can to support our local businesses at this time," says Mayor Connors.
"Our local business community is significantly impacted by the current restrictions and the best way to show our solidarity and support - as well as protect our collective health and safety - is by shopping only within the shire."
For full details on the evolving COVID-19 situation in the Hunter region visit: facebook.com/HNEHealth
For full details on what residents of Dungog Shire and other parts of regional NSW can and can't do under the Stay at Home Orders please visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/affectedregions
For a full list of exposure sites visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19/nsw-covid-19-case-locations/caselocations
