Snowy Valleys Community Urged to Remain COVID Vigilant

Published on 03 August 2020

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Snowy Valleys Council is encouraging community members to remain vigilant in protecting themselves and the wider region against the spread of COVID-19 and to work in partnership with businesses and other agencies to meet the Public Health Order requirements.

Mayor James Hayes said the safety and wellbeing of the community is at the forefront for Council.

“Our region had been incredibly fortunate so far in keeping the virus at bay, and it is important that as a community everyone continues to practice the key activities set down by NSW Health including social distancing, good hand hygiene and staying home if you feel unwell”, he said.

“The NSW Government is now also strongly encouraging greater use of masks when physical distancing is hard to maintain and Council supports the use of mask in our community as an extra protective tool to help slow the virus spread,” said Mayor Hayes.

“All local businesses must also be operating with a COVID safe plan and we want to remind people to play by the rules and adhere to the essential activities that business owners have put in place.

“We also encourage people to limit travel and non-essential visitation outside the region and if you must travel to be aware and avoid current hotspots,” he said.

Mayor Hayes said while most people are taking the appropriate precautions and keeping to the rules it was always important to keep current with the latest NSW health updates.

“It’s easy to think it won’t happen here but as a border community we have seen close-up what is happening in Victoria and so we need to take extra care and not let our guard down,” he said. 

“If you don’t need to go somewhere, don’t go.  Only shop once a week if you can and always remember to carry hand sanitizer and wear a mask if you are in high traffic public areas.

“We must all continue to follow the public health advice and take preventative measures to protect ourselves, as well as our family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues,” Mayor Hayes stressed.

Everyone is encouraged to:

  • Stay home if you feel unwell, get tested and isolate at home until negative results are received
  • Use hand sanitisers regularly when in public spaces and avoid touching your face
  • Ensure physical distancing when greeting other people
  • Wear a mask if you can’t social distance
  • Limit social gatherings
  • Reduce frequency of essential activities in the community
  • Limit travel outside the local region and non-essential visitation from people living outside the region
  • Be aware and avoid current hotspots
  • If you are a business ensure your COVID safe plan is active

Council’s CEO Matthew Hyde said council staff had been provided with equipment and information relating to keeping COVID safe in the workplace.

“Our teams have easy access to equipment they may need to keep their workplaces clean and sanitized as well as disposable masks and gloves available for staff use,” Mr Hyde said.

“We need, as a community, to do whatever we can to help keep ourselves and our community COVID safe. We all need to play our part”, Mayor Hayes said.

Anyone with even the mildest symptoms such as sore throat, cough, headache, fever and shortness of breath are encouraged to get tested. Call the Murrumbidgee COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 831 099 to book an appointment, or contact your local GP.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 visit:

Council’s website at www.svc.nsw.gov.au/COVIDsafe 

NSW Government website at www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules

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