9 April, 2020

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey is reminding people that home is a good place to be this Easter break.

“It might be mandatory to stay at home this Easter, but that can be a very good thing,” Cr Chaffey said.

“This is a wonderful time to spend with your family, have an Easter egg hunt, enjoy a special meal together and think of the many things we have to be thankful for.

“Easter 2020 might look very different to any Easter we have celebrated before, but it reminds us of all the things that are most important in our lives – the people we love.

“Gunnedah Shire is doing well, and I urge you to continue that good work. Stay at home, celebrate Easter, and look forward to a time when things will return to life as we know it. Be kind to each other, be respectful and maybe even rediscover some of the things that made family life together memorable in the past – board games, sharing a joke, just enjoying each others’ company.

“Happy Easter to everyone in our Shire. While this time is a stressful one for many, you are still allowed to enjoy some of the best things in life.”

Gunnedah Shire residents are reminded:

Regulations state you MUST stay at home, unless you are going to:
• work (where you can’t work remotely)
• school or an educational institution
• shop for food and essentials
• get medical care or supplies, or
• exercise.

Other than those reasons, you can only leave your home if you have a reasonable excuse, including to
avoid injury or illness or escape a risk of harm, access childcare or attend a wedding or funeral – each of which have their own limited number of people. Usual Easter church services will not be held at churches, but may be streamed.

There are strict penalties in place for not meeting these regulations.

Further information:

Police are the responsible body for the enforcement of public health orders. If community members have concerns about breaches to COVID-19 health orders, they are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
• Anyone seeking the latest information on COVID-19 should visit or call:
o NSW Health – www.health.nsw.gov.au
o Australian Government Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.au/
o Coronavirus Health Information Line - 1800 020 080
• The Australian Government’s ‘Coronavirus Australia’ app is now available for download, providing health updates and a virtual symptom checker.
• Australians can also access updates via whatsapp by downloading the WhatsApp application, then visiting www.aus.gov.au/whatsapp
• The Gunnedah Community Roundtable has created a Facebook page to help connect the community to information regarding service closures, community groups and other helpful resources. You can follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Gunnedahcommunityroundtablemeeting/
• Following the closure of the Gunnedah Shire Council administration building in Elgin Street to face to face visitors, the customer service team remains available for enquiries through phone: (02) 6740 2100, email: council@infogunnedah.com.au or by visiting www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.