Councils across North West Queensland have been reacting quickly to the spread of COVID-19. All have been following federal and state guidelines about outdoor gatherings having a maximum of 500 people and indoor gatherings having a maximum of 100.
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Here's what we know so far about what our councils are doing.
Boulia Shire has cancelled all its events that were scheduled until September 1. The biggest impact is to the Camel Races Festival on the weekend of July 17-19. Also cancelled are the Easter Races, campdraft and rodeo, the races not running despite Racing Queensland saying races could go ahead for now without patrons. The Min Min Encounter Show at the Visitor Information Centre will also close though the Visitor Information Centre will remain open.
Burke's restrictions are the toughest in the region. Gatherings of more than 10 people banned, flights cancelled, two metre social distancing and 14 day quarantine periods imposed. "Staff will be monitoring numbers within these facilities. Hand sanitiser will be put at each of the entrances of these facilities and people will be required to sanitise on entry and exit of the facilities. Council will also require all persons to sign an attendance register on entry and exits."
Gatherings banned of more than 35 people at council venues. No new bookings accepted at council venues. ""The only contractors allowed in town will be for essential services and they will have to self-isolate," Council's Disaster Management Committee said. Burke Shire residents who travel outside the community will be required to self isolate for 14 days on their return. Residents who fall sick outside the community will be required to remain there until they are well."
Council is distributing information to the community such as hygiene, prevention methods, how to identify symptoms and the best way to protect yourself and those around you. Public health is their main priority, with new measures aimed at softening the impact to our local economy. Council has a Business Continuity Plan with a specific focus on managing the incidence of COVID-19.
Croydon Shire Council.
Referring residents to the Queensland Health website
Diamantina Shire Council:
Council is monitoring situation and encourages people to follow rules of self-isolation, distancing and hygiene. Council will leave it to individual event organisers to determine if they will go ahead.
Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council:
Travel to Doomadgee is limited until further notice to people involved in essential services to the island. Residents must take precautionary measures before travelling. People with symptoms of COVID-19 should not travel.
Etheridge Shire Council:
Community Health retreat Georgetown March 28 has been cancelled. Council will advise when this year's flu shots will arrive.
McKinlay Shire Council:
Council expects local community groups, under new directives from the State Government, to also support those recommendations. We encourage community associations who are running events below the specified State limit ( 500 outdoors 100 indoors) to consider relevant advice from key public health communications.
The Local Government elections are continuing. Declared institution voting (visits to hospitals and nursing homes) have been cancelled. Early Voting and Election Day will continue as normal. Postal Voting will close at 7pm today (16th March 2020)
We ask that local businesses and contractors consider their own actions and local level responses. Please ensure that you are accessing good information, talking to your staff and ensuring adequate PPE and hygiene along with strategies for workforce management due to reduced workforce capacity.
All of the following information and important resources can be found on our Community Health Page: https://www.mckinlay.qld.gov.au/community/community-health
Mornington Shire Council:
Travel to Mornington Island is limited until further notice to people involved in essential services to the island. Residents must take precautionary measures before travelling. People with symptoms of COVID-19 should not travel.
Mount Isa City Council says it has formed a COVID-19 response group to provide community access to current information about council services and activities. At this stage there was no disruption to core council services such as waste collection, pool and library services and maintaining public parks and recreational areas.Public facilities such as the library and Splashez Aquatic Centre currently remain open, but it is possible this may change in coming days and weeks.
All Council facilities and venues will be closed for a period of 30 days to organised social gatherings and all future bookings for these venues will also be unavailable for the foreseeable future. Richmond Aged Care will carry out essential services only and all Centre Based Activities will be postponed for 30 days.
The Outside of School Hours Care Program will continue as normal as will the Library and Centrelink Hub. Kronosaurus Korner and Moonrock Café will reduce trading hours from 9 am to 3pm. The Lakeview Caravan Park and RV Park will remain open. Council parks and reserves will also remain open for use, but large public gatherings and events are no longer permitted
Winton Shire Council
The 1RAR banned has cancelled its tour of the region. Meanwhile there will be special early voting on Friday March 27 for elderly and infirm residents at the Council supper rooms from 2-5pm.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
