Following the announcement of multiple positive COVID-19 cases in Gunnedah Shire, the Gunnedah Shire Local Government Area has returned to lockdown until Monday, October 11.
Under the stay at home rules, everyone must remain at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave. Reasonable excuses include: shopping for essential items, medical care or caregiving, for essential work that cannot be completed from home and outdoor exercise with a member of your household or one other person. Schools have also moved to online learning.
Gunnedah Shire Council has moved back to the orange stage of the yellow-orange-red Coronavirus Response Strategy, with non-essential facilities closed for face-to-face services.
Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey said that news of another lockdown was disappointing; following what had been only a short time out of lockdown.
"Our thoughts are with those people who have caught the virus and I wish them a speedy recovery. We need to be mindful of their privacy at this time and I urge the community not to speculate and to instead look to NSW Health for updates," Cr Chaffey said.
"This is not the news we wanted to hear, but we know that it's in the best interest of our community to limit movements, abide by the stay-at-home orders and get tested so that we stop any potential spread.
"Council is working to ensure the health and safety of our staff and residents and has closed face-to-face facilities. Council staff are still available to assist you over the phone on (02) 6740 2100 or online.
"Thank you to those who have already come forward for testing. We are working with our Local Member to increase testing availability, with the main clinic having reached capacity early today.
"This is an important reminder that we need to continue to lift our vaccination rate. As at October 3, 89% of the Gunnedah Shire population aged 15 and over have received one dose, while 46.4% are fully vaccinated which is a great result.
"If you haven't had a vaccine, or still need to get your second dose, I encourage you to contact your GP or pharmacy to make a booking. The Royal Flying Doctor Service are also back in Gunnedah this week providing first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Walk-in vaccinations are available at the Gunnedah Showground tomorrow between 9:30 and 4, at the Mullaley Hall on Thursday from 10:30-2:30 and at Curlewis Hall on Friday from 10:30-2:30.
"News of another lockdown will be particularly difficult for our business community, so please continue to support local wherever you can. I hope that this will just be for a brief period and we can get back to a more normal way of life soon."
From Tuesday, October 5 the following Council facilities have closed temporarily:
- Elgin Street Administration Building,
- Gunnedah Shire Library,
- Gunnedah Cultural Precinct, including the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery, Civic Cinema, Town Hall, Smithurst Theatre and meeting rooms,
- Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre,
- Gunnedah War Memorial Swimming Pool,
- Livvi's Place Playground,
- Gunnedah Showground, exceptions apply for drive through medical clinics and exercise in line with restrictions, and
- GoCo Gunnedah Office. Staff will continue to deliver essential services.
Gunnedah Waste Management Facility will remain open for essential services with contactless payment only.
