Local celebrities support #ByronStayHome

Published on 03 April 2020

A host of celebrities, who also happen to live in the Byron Shire, have thrown their support to the #ByronStayHome campaign, asking visitors to stay away during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

John Butler, Shelley Craft, Jimeoin, Kerry O’Brien and Damon Gameau are among those who are supporting Council’s message to people who are thinking they might ignore the NSW Government’s directive on non-essential travel and come to Byron for a day trip, or the Easter weekend.

“To be telling visitors that they should stay away is not something I thought I would ever say but it is absolutely necessary at the moment as Australian and NSW authorities try to stem the spread of COVID-19,” Mayor Richardson said.

“We simply cannot have any increase in risk to our community, and I am hugely appreciative of the help from some of our more recognised residents in pushing out this important message.

“I urge everyone to tell their friends that Byron Shire is not open for tourists at the moment – like everywhere else we need to hunker down and protect our own, particularly our elderly residents,” Mayor Richardson said.

This week the NSW Government issued the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 which directs that a person must not leave their residence without a reasonable excuse such as food shopping, work, exercise or going to a medical appointment.  

Going on a holiday is not a reasonable excuse!

#ByronStayHome  https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=214481063120780.

For media enquiries contact Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator, on 6626 7320.