Council committed to welfare of staff and Councillors during COVID-19

Published on 17 July 2020

Gannawarra Shire Council is totally committed to the welfare of its staff and all Councillors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council took the step of protecting its staff and Councillors at the July Council meeting by advising Cr Andrew Gibbs that he could not physically attend this meeting after attending the Kerang Customer Service Centre on Tuesday this week, wearing a face mask and stating to the staff member, "I am wearing a mask because I have a head cold, this is to protect you."

“Council is committed to ensuring the occupational health and safety of its staff, with this stance also covering our Councillors whenever they are in attendance at any workplace where Council business is conducted,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly said.

“Our Council leads by example in minimising the risks of COVID-19 to the community. We can’t afford to be make exceptions for any individual and we should each take responsibility to work together to help keep our community safe.

“Our Council is operating in accordance with State Government and the Chief Medical Officer directions i.e. if any staff member or Councillor attending the workplace or Council meetings have cold or flu symptoms, no matter how minor, they should get tested for COVID-19  and stay isolated at home until they have a confirmed negative COVID-19 test result.”

Council management was made aware of Cr Gibbs’ health risk following his visit to the Kerang Customer Service Centre on Tuesday, 14 July, with an email sent to all Councillors regarding Council’s OH&S obligations at 1.44pm on Wednesday, 15 July.

“This email stated Council’s protocols regarding being tested for COVID-19, as well as indicating that Northern District Community Health provided Council with strict instructions not to allow entry into their venue for the July Council Meeting for anyone displaying cold or flu symptoms, no matter how minor,” Mr O’Reilly said.

Cr Gibbs replied by email at 2.40pm, stating that he “had a head cold last week” and had “three COVID-19 checks in the last 30 days” for employment requirements. Cr Gibbs also stated in the email that he wore a mask to Council’s Customer Service Centre on Tuesday “as courtesy as I have done for 48 hours past the point of having no symptoms”. Of particular concern Cr Gibbs stated “See you tonight”.

“It is important to note that Cr Gibbs did not indicate in his correspondence whether he had been tested since his visit on Tuesday to the Kerang Customer Service Centre and he did not provide any appropriate medical clearance, in line with Council’s OH&S obligations to managing COVID-19 within our workplace,” Mr O’Reilly said.    

At 4.11pm Mr O’Reilly, as the officer responsible for the OH&S of Councillors and staff, emailed Mayor Lorraine Learmonth to further express his concerns that Cr Gibbs was ignoring his advice and planned on attending the meeting.

A second email was sent to Cr Gibbs at 5.48pm Wednesday, reaffirming Council’s OH&S current obligations to managing the COVID-19 pandemic and NDCH’s strict instructions not to allow entry into the building for anyone displaying cold or flu symptoms, no matter how minor.

“In this email, Cr Gibbs was given ‘every opportunity to attend the July Council Meeting’, connecting by mobile phone. Cr Gibbs was also asked to make contact with either Mayor Learmonth or myself to set up this arrangement,” Mr O’Reilly said.

“Mayor Learmonth also relayed this stance and these options to connect to the meeting to Cr Gibbs via a phone call at 5.55pm Wednesday.”

Cr Gibbs arrived at the meeting’s venue at 6.10pm, where he was advised that due to NDCH’s strict instructions not to allow entry into the building for anyone displaying cold or flu symptoms at this time, he would not be permitted to attend the Council Meeting in person.

“Further assurances to connect Cr Gibbs to the meeting by telephone were made at this time, which Cr Gibbs refused to accept,” Mr O’Reilly said.

“The decision to restrict Cr Gibbs from entering the Northern District Community Health building was specifically taken in the interest of the community’s health, especially at a time where Victoria is recording record case numbers daily.

“We each have a responsibility to respect the guidelines provided to ensure the safety of our community. The message from our Premier is resoundingly clear, if you unwell stay home, if you have any flu like symptoms get tested and isolate until your test result is confirmed negative.”