Stay at home

Tuesday 31 March 2020

STAY AT HOME TO PROTECT THE ALBURY ELECTORATE

The NSW Government has announced that non-essential travel between regional NSW towns and remote communities must be cancelled and Easter holidaymakers should indefinitely postpone their visits, in line with the nationwide effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

People need to stay at home and restrict their essential movements to the local community.

Member for Albury Justin Clancy said National Cabinet has asked all Australians to stay at home unless they are shopping for essentials, are receiving medical care, are undertaking daily exercise or are attending work or school, which as of midnight last night is now enforced by law.

“COVID-19 does not discriminate and does not care about borders, so now is not the time to travel between towns or to relocate, the safest thing you can do right now is stay in your local community,” Mr. Clancy said.

“It is important everyone understands that COVID-19 isn’t just impacting cities and these measures will help protect the lives of the most vulnerable members of our community.

“To help slow the spread we need people to do the right thing by our families, friends and neighbours, which means staying 1.5 metres away from others, no social gatherings, washing hands and ensuring that if you are sick, that you self-isolate.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said he is worried about city residents travelling to regional NSW during Easter in an attempt to escape quarantine, which would be extremely dangerous for country communities.

“We continue to battle the worst drought in recorded history, we have endured bushfires that took the lives of 25 people and destroyed more than 2,400 homes and what we don’t need is people spreading the virus across regional NSW,” Mr Barilaro said.

“I know towns hit hard by the drought and bushfires are relying on holidaymakers to keep people in jobs and put food on the table, but right now health and safety is paramount and lives depend on every single one of us doing our part to help by staying at home.”

Mr Barilaro said help is available to people across regional NSW, particularly people who are isolated and the elderly, and encouraged anyone who needs a hand to call the NSW Government’s COVID-19 hotline on 13 77 88.

For the latest information about the NSW Government’s response to COVID-19, go to: www.nsw.gov.au