Corona Virus update given

Strathbogie Shire Council is taking seriously the impact corona virus (COVID-19) is having across Australia. This follows the global spread of the virus, which resulted in a worldwide pandemic being declared by the World Health Organisation on 12 March. Council Chief Executive Officer Julie Salomon said that following the release of the Victorian Government’s Pandemic Plan for the Victorian Health Sector on 10 March 2020, the Council, as part of its emergency management preparedness and planning, is finalising the review and update of its own Pandemic Plan. “This plan details specific actions to be conducted by Council staff before, during and after a pandemic outbreak,” Ms Salomon said. “The Council has in place a Business Continuity Plan, which outlines how services to the community will be continued should the Council need to assess the way in which it is delivering these. “Given the rapidly changing situation, officers will diligently continue to monitor the situation and amend the plans according to Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) advice, including contingencies and/or cancellation of any planned events and meetings within the Shire. “We will also be in contact with service providers within the municipality to support continuity of services and support to our community.” Ms Salomon also said that Council’s Senior Environmental Health Officer has been keeping up-to-date with the latest information regarding COVID-19 through teleconferences hosted by the DHHS. “This information is, in turn, relayed to all staff to ensure the organisation’s knowledge of the latest developments is thorough and can be conveyed to members of the public, if needed,” she said. “We encourage all residents to access the DHHS corona virus updates to ensure that they have the latest information. “We also encourage Council staff and residents to ensure that they remain diligent in hand-washing and cough etiquette and have their flu shots this year when they become available in early April.” The Council has also been communicating information from the DHHS through its social media channels.