August 14, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council is working to ensure the health and safety of the community following NSW Health’s announcement of a statewide one week snap lockdown.

Under the stay at home rules, everyone must remain at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave. Reasonable excuses include: shopping for essential items, medical care or caregiving, for essential work that cannot be completed from home and outdoor exercise with a member of your household or one other person. Schools will also move to online learning.

Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth said Council has Business Continuity Plans in place for all services and is working to ensure essential services are maintained during the lockdown period.

“Council has moved to the Orange stage of the Coronavirus Response Strategy, under which all non-essential facilities will be closed for face to face services,” Mr Groth said.

“We will still be working hard behind the scenes to deliver our essential services and our friendly Customer Service team will be available over the phone on (02) 6740 2100 to assist with any enquiries.

“We thank the community for their understanding as we work to ensure the health and safety of our staff and residents. Gunnedah is a resilient and caring community and we need to keep looking out for each other and take every precaution during this challenging time.

“We will continue to monitor updates from the NSW Government and provide further information as it comes to light.”

From 5pm today, the following services and facilities will be closed temporarily in line with NSW Health restrictions:

Elgin Street Administration Building, Gunnedah Shire Library, Gunnedah Cultural Precinct, including the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery, Civic Cinema, Town Hall, Smithurst Theatre and meeting rooms, Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre, Gunnedah War Memorial Swimming Pool, Livvi’s Place Playground, Public toilets, Gunnedah Showground, exceptions apply for drive through medical clinics and exercise in line with restrictions, and GoCo offices have closed but staff will continue to deliver essential services.

Gunnedah Waste Management Facility will remain open for essential services with contactless payment only.

For further information about the latest restrictions, health advice and testing clinic locations visit www.health.nsw.gov.au or contact the Service NSW COVID-19 hotline on 13 77 88.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.