Published on Thursday, 19 March 2020 at 12:00:00 AM
As a local government, the Shire of Ashburton is continuously following ongoing developments and concerns surrounding Coronavirus and we are considering its impact on our community.
We are taking all necessary measures to protect our community and to ensure we do what we can to lessen the impact of the virus on our region.
“Our role in times of pandemic it is to provide community leadership, work in partnership with State and Territory Governments, to inform the public of planning, preparations, and response and recovery activities and ensure we continue to deliver essential services to our communities” said Shire President Kerry White.
“Following from Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s this week, community members are advised that all non-essential indoor gatherings of greater than 100 people (including staff) will no longer be permitted from Wednesday 18 March 2020.
“This is in addition to the pre-existing ban restricting mass outdoor gatherings to 500 people.
“Community members who are overseas are strongly urged to return to Australia as soon as possible and those with international travel plans in the coming weeks and months are being advised to reconsider.
“As advised at the beginning of this week, the Shire has cancelled all its community events until 16 April, with events after that date to be considered as the impact of Coronavirus develops.
“When travelling and visiting be mindful of those more vulnerable members of our community, the elderly, our aboriginal communities and those who have pre-existing health conditions.
“If you feel unwell, stay at home.
“I encourage to continue social distancing, standing at least 1.5m apart and to continue to follow healthy hygiene habits.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Avoid shaking hands or making other unnecessary physical contact with others.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze and cough.
- Dispose of used tissues.
“If you have returned home from overseas from 9pm 15 March 2020 you are required to self-isolate for 14 days. Those who don’t risk being fined.
“You are also required to self-isolate if you are experiencing fever and respiratory symptoms such as cough or sore throat AND:
- are a contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case OR
- believe you have may have been in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19;
“It is extremely important to ensure you get information from official sources. As this pandemic is changing daily, please continue to monitor the pages listed below. We will also continue to update the community through our website and Facebook”.
HealthyWA page
State Government Coronavirus page
Federal Department of Health page
“All of our Shire facilities are open as per normal operating hours and we are ensuring our public facilities are cleaned and sanitised regularly.
“I ask the community and our stakeholders to phone or call where possible rather than visiting our administration buildings for general information, especially if you are unwell or experiencing flu-like symptoms”.
Community members are also advised a Special Meeting of Council will take place this Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 3pm in Tom Price Senior High School for Council to consider the impact of Coronavirus on the Shire and local business.
For media information contact:
Alison Lennon - Manager Media and Communications, Shire of Ashburton
M: 0409 314 140 | E: [email protected]
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