Update from Mayor about the City's response to COVID-19

Update from Mayor about the City's response to COVID-19

Published on 19 March 2020

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to change and evolve, I would like to let members of our community know what is being done by the City of Swan to minimise risk.

Our first priority is the health and wellbeing of our community.

The City has been regularly monitoring the COVID-19 situation from its early stages and is in daily contact with the WA Department of Health.

We are making decisions for the safety, health and wellbeing of our community, customers and staff based on the recommendations of the Federal and State governments.

While most services and facilities are currently operating on a 'business as usual' basis for the time being, the City has taken the following steps to manage the potential spread of COVID-19:

We have cancelled major events organised by the City, including Drug Aware Hyper and Altone Comes Alive, following the Federal Government’s directives of non-essential gatherings. Some group activities being held in City facilities and run by the City for members of the public will be suspended until the end of April at least. Full details of the programs that have been suspended are available on the City’s website. At this stage, the April Agenda Forum and Council meeting will continue, however seating arrangements will be amended and public participation procedures will be adjusted. More information about this will be available on the City’s website from 27 March.

The City’s six libraries, youth centres and Operations Centre continue to operate, and there has been no change to household waste collection.

However, users of these facilities must stay away if they have flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath), have recently been overseas, or have been in close contact with someone confirmed or suspected as having COVID-19.

Library members with a current and valid membership can access the City's digital collections and free online resources via the City's website and a number of other borrowing changes have been implemented.

Many City enquiries and payments can be made by phone or online, and we are encouraging our customers to use these options wherever possible.

We still welcome in-person enquiries and payments, however when you visit a City building please use the sanitiser provided.

Please remember our staff are there to help and are working as efficiently as possible under these difficult circumstances.

For now, we encourage members of our community to continue to stay informed about COVID-19, practice good hygiene, be aware and be prepared.

It is also important that we promote a sense of community, to reach out and ask our friends, family and colleagues if they are okay. Despite the need for physical isolation and social distancing, stay connected to and in touch with each other and your community. 

For the latest health information and advice, please visit the WA Department of Health website which is updated daily, or call the Coronavirus health information line on 1800 020 080.

For updates on the City's ongoing response to COVID-19, please check our website regularly and follow our corporate Facebook or Instagram pages.

Important updates will be provided via email to our eNewsletter database. If this message has been forwarded to you and you would like to receive direct updates, please subscribe via our website.

Kevin Bailey Mayor, City of Swan