General News

Add COVID-19 safety to your school holiday must-do list

With school holidays about to start in NSW, it’s shaping up to be a busy few weeks at public places like national parks, ovals, and at local pubs and restaurants.

In the ongoing fight against the coronavirus pandemic, it’s critical to maintain physical distancing, continue with good hand hygiene, and if you have even mild COVID-19 symptoms – get tested.

Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive, Wayne Jones, said it was imperative that North Coast residents keep up the good work.

“The local community has done an amazing job maintaining physical distancing and hand hygiene over the last few months,” Mr Jones said.

“But we certainly don’t want to have what’s happening in parts of Victoria being repeated here. With the extra freedom of travel and the likelihood of seeing more friends and family, it is more important than ever to remain vigilant.

“I encourage anyone, local or visiting tourists, if you have even mild symptoms, please go get a free test at your local testing clinic and stay in until you get the result.”

NSW Health are urging residents to not travel to parts of Victoria that have seen recent increases in COVID-19 activity. These areas are being closely monitored, and interventions to prevent further transmissions from these areas are being implemented by the Victorian Government. More information is available at: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/response-outbreaks-covid-19.

Non-essential travel between Melbourne and New South Wales is strongly discouraged. In addition, restrictions on workers and visitors who have been in Melbourne in the previous 14 days to high risk settings have been implemented. Further restrictions may be implemented as the situation evolves.

“If you are visiting family or friends in Victoria, I would urge you to reconsider the need to travel,” Mr Jones said.

“If travel is essential, for compassionate or other reasons, please do the right thing and self-isolate for two weeks when you return and get a test if you’re feeling even a little bit unwell.”

 

A full list of COVID-19 testing clinics is available here: www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/clinics.aspx