Mayor Tiley says to stay the course and we will defeat this together

Armidale Regional Council Mayor Ian Tiley says he couldn’t think of a more resilient and caring community than the people of the Armidale region to stay the course and adhere to the current lockdown to defeat this COVID challenge together.

“As our region settles in after a third day of a snap week-long lockdown, it is clear from all reports of empty streets, minimal movement and nearly 1200 tests conducted yesterday that everyone is taking this extremely seriously,” said Mayor Tiley.

“It is disappointing but not surprising that COVID has reached our region. Over the last few years we have dealt with drought, bushfires and COVID and I am in no doubt that if we stick together, do the right thing and look-out for each other we will get past this current outbreak of community transmission.

There are now three confirmed cases of community transmission, all from the same household. Exposure sites have included Armidale Secondary College and the Explorer service from Broadmeadow to Armidale on 29 July.

Today the Premier has also announced that our neighbours in Tamworth will be in lockdown from 5pm this evening. There is no confirmed case of community transmission in Tamworth however a woman from Newcastle with COVID had visited a number of locations.”

The Public Health Order for the Armidale local government area will remain in place until 15 August. This means you must stay at home unless you have a reasonable excuse; continue to wear your mask; limit your physical contact with people you do not live with; only one person per household may leave the home to obtain food or other goods and services each day; leave home to go to work if you cannot reasonably work from home and the business is allowed to open; exercise and take outdoor recreation in the local government area you live in or 10km from your home and go out for medical or caring reasons, including obtaining a COVID-19 vaccination. For further information on the Public Health order for the Armidale region go to nsw.gov.au/covid-19

“It is extremely important to not be complacent,” said Mayor Tiley “Get tested if you have even the mildest of symptoms and always act as if COVID is present. Be considerate and kind to each other. Reach out to your friends and family to ask if they are OK. Doing the simple things will make a big difference.”

Council has enacted its Business Continuity Plan and all non-essential council facilities will be temporarily closed. All hands will still be on deck behind the scenes to ensure essential services are delivered as normal.

The community is reminded of Council’s wide range of online services available via the Self Service tab on our website. Our Customer Service team will also be available via 1300 136 833 to answer any queries you may have about Council's services.

Published on 09 Aug 2021