Council Adapts to NSW Health Restrictions
Published on 28 June 2021
Council customers are asked as much as possible to interact with council services via phone, email and on-line following the announcements of new COVID-19 restrictions for Regional NSW and the Greater Sydney lockdown.
The requirement for indoor mask use in all non-residential areas and re-introduction of capacity limits has resulted in Council implementing some minor operational changes.
Snowy Valleys Council Acting CEO Shelley Jones said the community also needs to be vigilant in adhering to the new requirements for mask wearing indoors and checking in.
“We ask that Community members help us to comply with the health rules by checking in and out of Council facilities and wearing a mask,” she said.
“Our staff will be required to request people leave a Council facility unless they are wearing a mask or can provide a medical exemption when requested.
“We ask that customers understand this requirement and be respectful of our customer contact staff in these situations.”
Responding to the changed conditions Council has initiated working from home policies and procedures for office staff and implemented additional social distancing and hygiene guidelines and tools for outdoor teams to comply with the health orders and to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Ms Jones said as many office-based people as possible were transitioning to work from home arrangements or leave arrangements and minimising in-person meetings wherever possible.
“The aim is to have very minimal numbers of workers in the office areas to ensure those staff that cannot work from home due to connectivity issues can safely work in the office under the indoor capacity guidelines,” she said.
“Most of our outdoor staff are able to continue with their normal duties and are implementing social distancing in relation to work proximity, travelling and shared areas wherever possible, and workers have been provided with information about hygiene and PPE requirements.
“Council’s Crisis Management team are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to meet in response to changing requirements,” Ms Jones continued.
“In the event that the situation across NSW continues to escalate, we will implement the relevant precautions deemed necessary to minimise the risk of exposure to our people and community and in line with updated Public Health Orders.
“These are challenging times, and our staff remain available via phone and email and will continue to do everything possible to assist customers with their enquiries.”
Council can be contacted during business hours via phone: 1300 ASK SVC (1300 275 782); Email: [email protected] or Website: www.svc.nsw.gov.au.
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