The safety of our communities, customers and employees is our top priority.
We aim to maintain our current level of service to residents and businesses during this period.
We take advice on all public health matters from the state and federal health departments.
To date, NSW Health and the other advising authorities are clear in their message. As of today, there is no COVID-19 cluster in the Hunter, and therefore no reason to alter our service levels to the community.
Events and public gatherings
A state and federal government advisory has been issued regarding events and public gatherings of more than 500 people. Visit the NSW Health website for more information.
How we are responding
- We are promoting the NSW Health site www.health.nsw.gov.au as the primary source of information and health updates.
- The City is actively involved in the Local Emergency Management Committee’s response to Covid-19 which includes police, NSW Fire Brigades, SES, Health, Transport for NSW and neighbouring councils. This is allowing us to establish joint approaches and provide consistent advice.
- A City of Newcastle COVID-19 Planning Team has been established. The Planning Team includes People and Culture (and WHS), Legal (Emergency Management and Risk) and Corporate Affairs (Communications and Community Engagement).
- Activating our Emergency Management Action Plan (EMAP) for Newcastle. This Plan is aligned to State and National emergency plans and CN’s suite of Emergency Management Plans. The EMAP outlines strategies for CN in accordance with readiness and key actions which CN is committed to in accordance with relevant legislation, Acts and Regulations.
Preparedness – Key actions
- The City has installed hand sanitisers at all front facing facilities, focusing particularly at the libraries, Children’s Education Centre, cultural facilities and venues.
- We are reviewing increased cleaning regimes for our sites and appropriate signage needs.
- We are working through flexible working options with City of Newcastle staff should this become necessary to continue delivering essential services.
- We are liaising with other agencies including the Office of Local Government, neighbouring Councils, the University of Newcastle and Newcastle Airport, to ensure sharing of information and consistent messaging to our community.
We are continuing to develop our plans to cover a situation where COVID19 becomes widespread in Australia, and state and federal governments move to greater restrictions on activities within the Newcastle Government area.
Communicating to employees
City employees who have recently travelled to affected countries or have been in contact with someone who has coronavirus will be excluded from work and have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days.
All employees have been reminded to practice good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing their hands thoroughly with soap and water, and using alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
Public health information has been distributed at the City’s libraries and community children’s education centre.
City of Newcastle will continue to update you on the work we’re doing through our Local Emergency Management Plan prepared for COVID-19.
More information is available on the NSW Health website or the Federal Government Health website.