COVID-19 – Community Update

The currently evolving novel coronavirus COVID-19 situation is an unprecedented time and the health and wellbeing of our employees, their families and our wider community is priority. Council is continually receiving advice and updates from the Department of Health, DPAC and LGAT to help us determine how best to manage this situation within our organisation and community. We are implementing social distancing practices and limiting face to face interactions where we can. Therefore, we ask you to please rethink your need to come into the Council Offices. You can contact us via one of these alternative methods: Phone – 6269 0000 Facebook – search for Sorell Council Website – Check out our website for all Council information including forms and links https://www.sorell.tas.gov.au/ My Local Services App – Download the App for free from the App Store or Play Store and use the ‘Report It’ function to report issues as well as access Council’s contact details. Council is implementing our contingency plan to help us manage our operations in the coming weeks/months. Our operations will continue on as normally as possible. We are encouraging staff to work from home and supporting them to do so. Services such as animal management, waste management, maintenance and capital works program are continuing with appropriate precautions being put in place. Internal meetings are suspended, but Council and DASC meetings will continue following health guidelines. All Council staff have been instructed to adopt the recommended hygiene practices and social distancing recommendations, as well as comply with all Government directives. Many activities in our community facilities have been suspended for the time being. Notably, the Sorell Market has ceased operations. No new bookings are currently being taken for any of our community facilities. Department of Health information signage is being placed in the Council Offices, community facilities and public toilets. We encourage all members of the community to follow the Department of Health’s advice regarding protecting yourself and others from novel coronavirus (COVID-19): Wash and dry your hands often, with soap and water. Germs can spread through hand contact. Wash your hands before touching your face (especially lips, mouth, nose, eyes), food and drinks, and after coughing, sneezing blowing your nose and going to the toilet. Wash and dry your hands well. Make sure the soap and water get on your whole hand – palms, backs of hands, thumbs, fingertips, wrists and the webbing between your fingers. Rub your hands for 15–20 seconds, or for as long as it takes to sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song slowly. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. If you don’t have a tissue, use the inside of your elbow. Put used tissues in the rubbish straight away (don’t keep germs in your pocket!) and then wash your hands. Keep your distance. Try to keep 1–1.5 metres (two large steps) from people who are unwell with a fever and coughing or sneezing. Call for advice. If you think you might have COVID-19, phone your doctor or healthdirect (1800 022 222) for advice. Protect others by washing your hands and keeping your distance. Please click on the links below for information posters from the Department of Health: