Council working with lead agencies on COVID-19 response
Published on 18 March 2020
Council is currently operating under the latest advice and guidance from NSW State Government (NSW Health) and the Federal Government (Department of Health) who are the lead agencies in relation to the management of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
In addition to published advice, Council’s Leadership team is receiving daily updates with Murrumbidgee Local Health and has regular communication with local State and Federal representatives regarding government advice, alerts and information relevant to our area.
Snowy Valleys Council staff are also working closely with partner Councils in the Canberra Region Joint Organisation to share operational knowledge and advice on the development of appropriate processes and local guidance.
“To ensure we can keep our community updated, we’re establishing increased communication alerts to distribute factual, locally-based information the community in regards to COVID-19 using social media, Council’s website, radio and hard copy in locations across the region,” said Snowy Valleys Council Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Hyde.
“As a Council, we’re working to seek out the best available information to guide actions that can assist the wider community to fight the spread of the virus, keep staff and community up to date, and assist people to make informed decisions that are right for them and their family.”
To date, specific actions taken by Council to protect staff and enhance community safety include:
- Increased availability of hand sanitiser, hand washing messages within Council offices
- Cancellation of staff travel, participation in industry groups, workshops, group training
- Moving to a higher reliance on email and telephone communication between staff, minimising face to face meetings to reduce staff travel between offices and gathering in groups
- No longer holding all staff meetings
- No provision of food at meetings or social staff meetings
- Investigating and ramping up Council’s ability to increase options for staff to work remotely
- Limiting visits by external providers and contractors
- Committee meetings – implementing remote meeting options
- Reviewing alternative delivery for community meetings planned for the near future for involvement in other ways
“Remember, the easiest and most important thing you can do is to continue to practice good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes with a clean tissue or your elbow and washing hands often and thoroughly with soap,” said Mr Hyde.