Stay home, stay safe this weekend

We’re appealing for people to stay home and stay safe this weekend.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said this is not the weekend for a lazy day at the beach.

“We’ve not seen COVID-19 case numbers in our Local Government Area like we’re seeing right now and this is something we should all be concerned about,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“We need to work together to prevent further spread of COVID in our community. If you’re looking out the window at this weekend’s lovely weather and think this is a time to chill out at the beach or spring clean and head to the tip, don’t.

“We should all be following the Stay at home rules. This is not the time to sit back, relax and be complacent. We need to work together and all do the right thing to protect our community and its vulnerable members. This should be our number one priority.’’

The current NSW Public Health order clearly lists the Stay at home rules that apply to everyone in the Wollongong local government area. The order lists the following as reasonable excuses to leave your home;

• getting food or other goods and services for the personal needs of the household or for other household purposes, for pets or for vulnerable people
• exercising or outdoor recreation
• for work, if it is not reasonably practicable for you to work from home
• going to school, university or college if you can’t study from home
• getting medical care (e.g. visiting your GP), including COVID-19 tests and vaccinations, getting medical or health supplies or donating blood
• going to childcare, or picking up or dropping off a person at childcare
• giving effect to new or existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children or siblings for children who do not live in the same household as a parent or sibling of the child
• attending a small funeral or memorial service or small wedding service that complies with the specific rules about the service
• fulfilling carer’s responsibilities or providing care or assistance (including personal care) to a vulnerable person
• moving house or inspecting property
• accessing public services, including social services, employment services, services provided to victims (including as victims of crime), domestic violence services, and mental health services
• legal obligations
• to provide emergency assistance to a person or in an emergency
• to avoid injury, illness or to escape the risk of harm
• for compassionate reasons, including where two people are in a relationship but do not live in the same household
• to feed an animal or for animal welfare
• if you are a priest, minister of religion or member of a religious order, to go to your place of worship or provide pastoral care
• supervising or facilitating a business moving to new premises.

Cr Bradbery said those who were inspired by the warmer weather enjoy some exercise should be mindful of others at all times.

“If you’re thinking of a beach swim, our lifeguards are on duty at North Wollongong Beach from 9am-4pm across the weekend and all our nine, unsupervised rock pools are open,’’ he said.

“Just remember, you’re there for exercise not for a social outing. That’s why we’re encouraging people to come for a swim and go. Don’t hang around.

“If you’re planning a walk, run or bike ride along one of the many bike tracks across the city, please do so with others’ in mind. Kept to the left, follow all the rules – including wearing a mask if appropriate – and consider a less busy time or location for your exercise.’’