Blue Mountains City Council introduces QR codes for play spaces, dog off-leash areas and outdoor cou…

Blue Mountains City Council has introduced QR codes to nearly 40 outdoor recreation areas in the City, in a bid to help keep the community safe during COVID-19.

Signage with Service NSW QR codes has been installed at large playgrounds, as well as dog off-leash areas and outdoor sports courts.

Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: “It is critical that we help keep our community safe, given the escalating COVID-19 situation. One way is by Council adding QR codes to our outdoor recreation facilities, so that Service NSW receives the details of people visiting these areas.

“Please check in if you visit these facilities. This makes contact tracing easier, if required.”

The current Public Health Order states exercise and outdoor recreation activities are a reasonable excuse to leave home, in the Blue Mountains.

You can take part in exercising or outdoor recreational activities that comply with the gathering rules (no more than 2 people outdoors, excluding members of the same household) within the Blue Mountains local government area, or within 5 kilometres of home.

“We all need to help slow the spread of the virus and only move through the community for essential reasons,” Mayor Greenhill said. “We all need to be vigilant and follow the public health order, and get tested if we display any symptoms, to ensure our community is not put at risk.

“Do not gather in groups at these Council facilities. Police are moving people on if they’re not following the rules. In fact, Council discourages interactions between people from different households at these facilities.

“If we experience an increase in local cases of COVID-19 – then Council will close play spaces and outdoor sports courts. Council’s Crisis Management Team are assessing these issues daily so we can be responsive.  Now is not the time for complacency.”

Council sportsgrounds and ovals remain open for residents who would like to use them for exercise, during this extended period of shutdown. Council has turned on the lights at 12 sportsgrounds giving the community the chance to get outside and be active during the restrictions. The lights are on between 5pm and 9pm Monday to Friday.

You can stay up to date on Council’s response to COVID-19, and get the full list of where QR codes have been installed at play spaces, dog off-leash areas and outdoor sports courts, at bmcc.nsw.gov.au/COVID19-updates. 

Go to https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/greater-sydney for more information about the public health order.