Your Own Hygiene
• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser when washing is not an option.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• Practise social distancing, stay 1.5m from other people, and avoid large public gatherings.
• Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms or those who have returned from overseas in the past 14 days.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• If you use public amenities such as playgrounds and other facilities wash your hands before and after and avoid touching your face or mouth.
COVID-19 Symptoms
The symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. If you or a family member develop these symptoms within 14 days of overseas travel or are in contact with someone else who has Coronavirus, call (not visit) your GP, ring the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222, or in an emergency, your local hospital emergency department. Face masks are not recommended for people without symptoms.
Parkes Shire Council
The council is well prepared to provide continuous service while ensuring the community and their own safety is protected. A response plan has been developed for critical services at various levels of infection, within the organisation and the community. Council is asking residents to re-think the need to go into Council’s offices for day to day transactions such as payments of rates, applications and general requests. Council offers online payment options and can be contacted via phone or email during office hours, or connect with Council through Facebook or Twitter.
Parkes Shire Library
Activities at the library have been temporarily suspended until 24th April for Story Time, Rhyme Time, Computer Classes, Author-Rised writing group and the Book Clubs. Neighbourhood Central is also suspending their Home Library Service until further notice. In addition, computer and printing services operating in the Parkes branch and smaller town branches will be limited. The libraries will remain open as normal for general borrowing and reading. The online library services will be available at all times and can be accessed from the Library section on Council’s website. https://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/parkes-shire-libraries/
Events
Council strongly recommends that all event organisers rethink and reconsider upcoming events, meetings, gatherings and festivals to reduce the risk and impact of large-scale person to person transmission within our community. Currently outdoor events for over 500 people and indoor events for over 100 people should be post-poned. It is important to protect the health and safety of yourselves and the risk to community members.
Food Security
The Minister for Agriculture, David Little- proud reassured Australians that the nation’s food security is amongst the safest in the world. “People shouldn’t panic, we have an abundant supply of top quality fresh food produced from all parts of the country that ensures that there will be plenty of food on the table,” the Minister said. “Australia produces enough food for 75 million people with a population of only 25 million.”
Keep On Buying Local
With many businesses already impacted by this pandemic, whilst also still feeling the effects of prolonged drought, it is more important than ever to support local businesses to get through these tough times.
No Overseas Travel
The Federal Government is advising Australians not to travel overseas, and says that advice will remain in place indefinitely.
Do Not Panic Buy; Offer Support Instead
We are all in this together and need to look out for each other and support others, especially the most vulnerable in our community. There are enough supplies for everyone. Support our health workers and other frontline staff who are putting in long hours during this time.