A number of venues in the Narrabri Shire have put in place social distancing measures following an announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday, to help prevent and control the spread of the coronavirus.
As you can see from the above photo, Wee Waa Bowling Club patrons happily abided by the new measures and still had a very enjoyable Friday night.
A small group were at the club to celebrate Gai Holland’s birthday and special seating arrangements were organised for dinner. (see Tuesday’s Wee Waa News for more photos.)
NSW Health said there have been an additional 83 coronavirus cases in the 24 hours to 8.00pm on Friday, taking the state’s total number of cases to 436.
Hunter New England Health released a statement on Saturday reporting 26 COVID-19 cases in the region.
“An additional eight people from Hunter New England are now confirmed to have COVID-19,” read the statement.
“A female in her 20s and a female in her 50s are in home isolation; both are close contacts of a previously announced case.
“A male in his 60s is in home isolation after travelling on the Ruby Princess.
“A female in her 60s is receiving care at John Hunter Hospital after being in contact with a confirmed case in Sydney.
“A male in his 20s is in home isolation; he is a close contact of a confirmed case.
“A female in her 70s is in home isolation after returning from Vietnam and Cambodia.
“A female in her late teens is in home isolation after returning from Europe.
“A female in her 70s is receiving care in Westmead hospital after travelling on the Ruby Princess.
“This takes the total number of cases of COVID-19 in Hunter New England to 26,” read the statement.
Health staff continue to undertake daily wellness checks with all confirmed cases in the District.
Hunter New England Health said it is contacting close contacts of the new cases, who are being
asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact.
And they will be contacted every day to check that they are well and any contact who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the infection.
NSW Police Minister David Elliott has ordered the closure of Bondi Beach after crowds of people spent Friday at Sydney’s iconic location despite warnings about the importance of social distancing.
NSW Health is urging people to stay 1.5 metres away from each other in workplaces and social settings including restaurants, bars and gatherings.
A statement released by the Prime Minister’s office on Friday outlined new social distancing rules, including the below measures:
Indoor Gatherings
As previously advised, non-essential indoor gatherings of greater than 100 people are not permitted.
This does not apply to essential activities such as public transportation facilities, medical and health care facilities, pharmacies, emergency service facilities, correctional facilities, youth justice centres or other places of custody, courts or tribunals, Parliaments, food markets, supermarkets and grocery stores, shopping centres, office buildings, factories, construction sites, mining sites, freight and logistics terminals, where it is necessary for their normal operation (although social distancing and hygiene practices are required in these settings).
National Cabinet agreed to risk mitigation measures for non-essential indoor gatherings of fewer than 100 people including the following:
- In a given occupied space, there must be a density of no more than one person per four square metres of floor space. The four square metre arrangements for venues will come into effect from March 20, 2020 and will be mandated through state and territory regulatory arrangements.
- For example, there can be 25 people in a 100 square metre room, who should maintain a physical healthy distance between each other of 1.5 metres.
- Hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles must be made available, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal taking place.
- The Department of Health recommendations for unwell individuals to isolate at home must be promoted.
- For example:
- Cinemas and theatres will decrease density of patrons, which could include alternate seating, staggered seating and alternate rows, except for family groups who may be seated together.
- Seated restaurants may need to undertake a capacity reduction in order to meet the above density requirements.
Outdoor Events
As previously advised, outdoor events of fewer than 500 attendees may proceed. There are general measures that all events should follow:
- In a given occupied space, there must be no more than one person per four square metres of ground space.
- Availability of hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal.
- Promotion of the Department of Health recommendations for unwell individuals to isolate at home and not attend.
Food markets are exempt from the 500 person limit, however must undertake additional measures, such as control of patronage level numbers or stall density reduction to decrease the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
See More – https://www.pm.gov.au/media/update-coronavirus-measures-0
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