Council has been in constant contact with the OLG and has followed all guidelines set down by the authority in relation to the Coronavirus-COVID-19 situation.
Residents are advised that Gyms, indoor pools, and yoga and dance studios can reopen within a fortnight and kids’ sport can resume across NSW from 1 July, as more COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
From 13 June, the following will be allowed. The four-square metre rule must be applied at all times. These facilities must have COVID-19 Safety Plans in place.
• Gyms, and fitness, Pilates, yoga and dance studios can reopen with up to 10 people per class and 100 people in an indoor venue.
• Community centres, including their recreational facilities can reopen.
• Some indoor recreational facilities including pools and saunas can also reopen with restricted numbers.
• Tattoo and massage parlours can reopen with up to 10 clients
Community sport competitions will be able to restart for those aged 18 years and under from 1 July.
For more information on community sporting competitions, interested parties and organisers are urged to visit the following link. https://sport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/ready-set-go-gyms-and-kids-sport-returns/
The new Public Health Order allows a range of businesses and organisations to reopen or increase operations including caravan parks and camping grounds, libraries, restaurants, cafes, and pubs. The New Public Health Order Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) has been updated.
The document prepared by OLG for councils pertaining to the new Public Health Order can be viewed by following this link: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/COVID-19-Public-Health-Order-FAQs-2-June-2020.pdf
A summary of some aspects of the public health order in relation to Council meetings is as follows:
It is now permissible for councillors and council staff to leave their homes for the purposes of attending council and committee meetings and to attend meetings in person. Councils should continue to allow councillors and staff to attend and participate in council and committee meetings by audio visual links where it is reasonably practicable to do so.
Members of the public are not permitted to attend meetings (other than for the purposes of work) if this means that the total number of people attending meetings (including councillors and staff) exceed 10. Where councils exclude members of the public from meetings, they must livestream their meetings using audio-visual links to satisfy the requirement under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1993 for members of the public to be permitted to “attend” meetings. Councils must not allow persons to attend meetings if the size of the meeting venue is insufficient to ensure there is 4 square metres of space for each person attending the meeting. Where councillors and staff do participate in face to face meetings, councils must ensure that adequate physical distancing continues to be maintained. Staff and councillors must continue to stay home if they are sick.
Public forums should only be held in a manner that is consistent with the Public Health Order. Where this is not possible, public forums should not be held, or alternative arrangements should be made for the making of public submissions to councillors. CGRC encourages all residents to email or write to Council with submissions prior to the monthly Council meeting. Submissions can be sent via email on mail@cgrc.nsw.gov.au, dropped into Council administration offices or posted to PO Box 420 Cootamundra, NSW, 2590.
To keep workers, visitors and customers safe, and to give them the confidence to keep coming back, businesses and organisations will need to follow health and hygiene requirements designed to keep COVID-19 out of workplaces. The NSW Government has made available COVID-19 Safety Plans, these can be assessed by visiting https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/industry-guidelines. Information is available for beauty, nail, tanning and hairdressing salons, betting agencies, caravan parks and camping grounds, libraries, museums and galleries, places of worship, pubs, clubs bars, restaurants and cafes.
If your business is eligible to reopen or increase your operations from 1 June, Council urges you take a look at the advice for your industry.
Destination NSW has unveiled the next phase of the tourism recovery campaign, Now’s The Time To Love NSW.
Now’s The Time To Love NSW heralds the ‘reboot’ of 2020 for visitors and the tourism industry as regional travel restrictions are lifted. The campaign highlights the state’s world-class experiences to motivate travellers to plan and book their next NSW escape. The campaign is targeting NSW, Victorian and ACT residents with world-class experiences to be enjoyed right here in regional NSW. All travellers are encouraged to phone ahead to ensure operators are open and help with capacity planning, and businesses and visitors must follow health advice regarding physical distancing and personal hygiene.
CGRC mayor Cr Abb McAlister said he was pleased that restrictions were being eased, but cautioned all to remain vigilant.
“It’s great that we will see more businesses opening, and our kids getting back on the sporting fields, I’m pleased that our community has heeded the advice and we’ve kept ourselves safe. Whilst we all get back to a semblance of normal, I urge you all to remain vigilant, keep up the social distancing and hygiene practices and stay up to date with situation. I’m looking forward to seeing more visitors across our region,” Cr McAlister said.
Residents are encouraged to continue checking the CGRC website for more information; www.cgrc.nsw.gov.au
