Council implements COVIDSafe measures
Published on 28 June 2021
Please be advised that given recent developments in Greater Sydney and NSW Health’s most recent Public Health Order, Council has made the decision to transition to a hybrid operational environment for what is anticipated will be a two-week period commencing from today, Monday 28th June 2021.
NSW Health’s most recent Public Health Order states that:
- People who have been in the Greater Sydney region (including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong) on or after June 21 should follow the stay-at-home orders for a period of 14 days after they left Greater Sydney.
- Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces, and at organised outdoor events.
Consequently, Council is working with all affected personnel to make the most practical arrangements possible to ensure Council can continue to deliver the essential services our community relies on in parallel with protecting their safety and wellbeing.
This includes introducing reduced operating hours between 10am and 2pm Monday to Friday, at Council’s Bellingen Administration Centre during this period, to provide customers with face-to-face access to the majority of council related transactions traditionally available.
Subsequently, Council is also encouraging our community to continue to take advantage of the broad range of online and over the phone customer service transactions that remain available during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, inclusive of Council’s building and planning inquiry services.
Further, to ensure best practice social distancing protocols are maintained, a limit of six customers at one time within the Customer Service Centre will be maintained and customers are kindly requested to utilise cashless payment methods where possible and observe onsite signage including the introduction of dedicated separate entry and exit points.
To protect our community and staff, customer point of service sneeze guards at service counters will also be in place, and additional control measures will be introduced including the provision of hand sanitiser for the use of customers prior to entering the Customer Service Centre.
Additionally, to help you protect yourselves, your family and friends, you are encouraged to regularly visit the NSW Health Website to access the most current information and resources or alternately, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
Please also remember that if you are feeling unwell or showing potential symptoms of COVID-19, you should stay at home, self-isolate and if you feel it is appropriate, arrange to be tested for COVID-19 at one of several regional testing facilities.
Further, Council would also like to remind visitors to our Shire to observe NSW health guidelines on social distancing, self-isolation and testing procedures, handwashing and personal hygiene practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Finally, look after yourselves and each other and we will keep you up to date of any changes that may occur and please continue to do your best to keep everyone safe by helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.