Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Keeping Up to Date

Published on 05 March 2020

With increasing activity in relation to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) the City seeks to reassure community members that the situation is being closely monitored by the relevant health authorities.

The City has been receiving updates from the Department of Health and is being guided by the Department of Health’s advice.  This week City representatives met with other members of the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) specifically to discuss the virus noting that human epidemic is a recognised State hazard, with the Department of Health being the Hazard Management Agency.

A representative from the Busselton Health Campus briefed committee members on infection rates, measures being taken to prevent the spread of the virus and preparations at hospitals and clinics in the incidence of the virus spreading more broadly.

The Australian Government Department of Health website provides a daily health alert with information on how the virus is spread, symptoms, treatment and prevention. This information, along with other links to a range of useful resources is available at https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/coronavirus.

City of Busselton Mayor said that while people may be justifiably concerned, it’s important to keep note that at this point in time rates of infection in Australia are low and unlike other more vulnerable countries, we have access to quality screening and health care.

“The best way to protect yourself and your family and to maintain a sensible perspective on the situation is to keep abreast of the information posted on the Western Australian Government Website,” he said.

The City has received 11 additional cruise ship bookings for this and the next financial year. These increased bookings are the direct result of scheduled changes to itineraries of cruise liners no longer able to visit some ports (predominately in Asia) where the risk of Coronavirus has been identified as high.

Cruise ship passengers and crew members are subject to advanced screening measures and strict health and hygiene protocols. Many passengers on these additional cruise liners entering the South West of WA are Australians arriving from other Australian ports. Cruise liners are not coming from locations that are subject to isolation measures by government health authorities.

The next cruise liner to arrive in Busselton is the Queen Mary 2 which is part of the Cunard Group. Queen Mary 2 arrives on 13th of March. You can view the company’s travel health advisory here https://www.cunard.com/en-au/contact-us/travel-health-advisories  Cruise Lines Industry Association Australasia has released a detailed statement on protocols in response to the Coronavirus. This statement can be viewed here https://www.cruising.org.au/Home

The Objectives outlined in this media release are aligned to Key Goal Area 1 in the City of Busselton’s Strategic Community Plan (Review 2019): Our community is welcoming, friendly and healthy and Key Goal and Key Goal Area 4: Our economy is diverse, robust and prosperous. 

Media enquiries can be directed to the City’s Public Relations Coordinator, Meredith Dixon on 97810446 or [email protected]