Coronavirus forces hard decisions for Goulburn and region | Rolling coverage

The Southern NSW Local Health District has restricted visitation to one person per patient at any one time at its health facilities.

CEO Margaret Bennett said this was to protect the health of the vulnerable, elderly and staff.

READ MORE: Health District restricts numbers of visitors at facilities

Update Friday, March 20, 2.30pm

The Southern NSW Local Health District has established COVID-19 Assessment Clinics throughout the district, so those with symptoms can be tested and treated quickly.

The clinics have been established at Goulburn Base Hosital and Queanbeyan District Hospital.

READ MORE: COVID-19 Assessment Centres established across the district

Update Thursday evening, March 19

A COVID-19 Pandemic Plan has been put in place for Upper Lachlan Shire Council to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

Council meetings will go ahead, however, there will be no public gallery. Instead, people will watch the meeting via a live stream webcast from the council's website.

All council-owned sporting grounds, parks and hall for events and gatherings including sporting competitions and training.

Update noon Wednesday, March 18

Goulburn Mulwaree Council has decided to implement a raft of actions in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a near hour-long discussion at Tuesday night's council meeting, councillors decided to:

General manager Warwick Bennett will also provide regular updates at council meetings and briefing sessions on actions to address community concerns about coronavirus.

READ MORE: Council acts on coronavirus with facility shutdowns

As of 11am March 17, there were no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Southern NSW Local Health District. However, Mr Bennett said the council had a "clear responsibility" to protect the community.

Update Wednesday morning

Crookwell's elderly residents took advantage of IGA's dedicated shopping hour for over 65s on Wednesday morning.

Manager Julie White said about 45 early morning shoppers walked through the door and were able to get items including toilet paper that have been hard to find during the coronavirus pandemic.

The supermarket launched its trial of the special hour from 7-8am on Wednesday and will reopen its doors for the over 65s at the same time on Friday and both days next week.

Update 4pm Tuesday

The Southern NSW Local Health District has said there was only one confirmed case of coronavirus in its region.

A spokesman confirmed this was a 52-year-old Goulburn man who returned from Singapore to Sydney on February 28. The Post earlier reported that he subsequently flew on to Darwin on March 3 and was quarantined at that city's hospital. Authorities have not clarified his movements between February 28 and March 3.

Crookwell and Taralga's aged care facilities, Viewhaven Lodge and Sunset Lodge, have gone into a 14-day voluntary lockdown.

Only essential personnel under supervision of staff and following strict infection control guidelines will be allowed into Viewhaven and Sunset Lodge during the lockdown, Crookwell and Taralga Aged Care CEO Jo Boyce said.

The council has announced that Australian Street Rod Federation (ASRF) 2020 Regional Nationals, due to be held in Goulburn over the Easter long weekend, have been called off.

"I am sure this will come as no surprise given the current situation in dealing with the further spread of the COVID19 virus, and now the direction of Government making a call on no mass gatherings/events over 500 people," ASRF Director ACT and Region, Alan Cooper said in a statement.

"But for us, with the many risks and too many unknowns over the next two to three weeks, there really was no other option.

"This is devastating in so many ways - for the committee who had been working almost two years to deliver this event, the sponsors who were supporting the Easter event at Goulburn, our fantastic traders, the awesome vehicles that were attending with their owners and guests, and most importantly, the town of Goulburn and its tourism industry and other businesses working to support us over the weekend.

"I believe this is the first time an ASRF event of this level has had to be cancelled, and for that we are truly sorry. We now ask for your patience and understanding as we work through the process of refunding entry fees to those that have already paid. We will be in touch with entrants about this as soon as possible."

Other local events that have been cancelled to date include the Goulburn Swap Meet, Stardust Circus, Goulburn Harmony Day Celebrations, Anzac Day Services and Goulburn North Public School Family Fun and Fireworks Night.

To stay up to date with event cancellations in Goulburn Mulwaree, the community is encouraged to contact event organisers directly or the Goulburn Visitor Information Centre. Updates on events happening in the region can also be found at: www.goulburnaustralia.com.au

Update 4.30pm Monday

Goulburn Mulwaree councillors decide on Tuesday night whether several community events will go ahead, given the Coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesman said a report would also include recommendations on use of council facilities and ongoing business in coming weeks. Reports with updates and further recommendations will go to councillors every fortnight thereafter. The community will also be regularly updated.

"At this stage council facilities remain open as normal," he said.

"Where possible we are supplying hand sanitiser for use by our staff and customers, and all bathrooms and public toilets are of course equipped with soap. We will also be putting up signage as part of the Federal Government communication response.

"Our number one priority, should the virus escalate in our region, will be maintaining provision of essential services such as water and wastewater services, along with waste collection."

In an unprecedented move, the organisation has also decided to chain and padlock toilet roll holders in public facilities.

"As the community is aware, toilet paper is in high demand, and we have been losing a lot from our public toilets which is rather disappointing," the spokesman said.

He added that there had also been a great deal of damage to the toilet roll holders holders in recent time.

"Goulburn Mulwaree Council encourages community members to stay up to date with information provided by the Australian Federal Government Department of Health, we will be following their instructions and guidelines," the spokesman said.

Update 3.45pm

All Anzac Day events throughout NSW have been cancelled.

RSL NSW acting president Ray James said the "risk to vulnerable people during the current health situation is simply too high for these events to continue in their traditional format".

"Given the significant concerns around the spread of COVID-19, it would be irresponsible to allow such large gatherings as we see each year on Anzac Day to go ahead," he said in a statement to Sub Branches.

"This is not a decision we have taken lightly," he said.

"The RSL has a responsibility to act in the best interests of veterans and the general public.

"In these uncertain times we must follow the advice of medical experts and do everything we can to protect the community."

Goulburn RSL Sub Branch president Gordon Wade said he was very disappointed. On Monday morning he hoped that at least the Dawn Service could proceed.

"We are compelled to follow the State president's directive," he said.

"I can only apologise to the community who have given great support to our veterans. The Sub Branch met this morning and their feeling was to cancel. I thought a dawn service could have gone ahead at Rocky Hill but the problem was how to police the numbers."

Mr Wade said to his knowledge, it was the first Goulburn Anzac Day that had been cancelled.

"But we have never had anything as severe as this (Coronavirus)."

The Goulburn Service Centre's Bring Your Own Device day (BYOD) due to be held on Thursday, March 19 has also been cancelled.

Monday 2pm

A swathe of regional events have been cancelled in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic and the State Government's ban on non-essential mass gatherings.

Collector's Pumpkin Festival, Crookwell's Potato Festival, the Stardust Circus, Harmony Day in Belmore Park on Friday and a major fundraiser for Parkinson's Disease are among them. Next month's Goulburn ANZAC Day march is also under a cloud but the RSL Sub Branch wants at least the Dawn Service to go ahead.

The state government has imposed a ban on gatherings of more than 500 people in light of the Coronavirus threat. It was acting on a recommendation from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. On Monday morning, the Victorian government declared a state of emergency. The ACT government also declared a public health emergency, in light of the pandemic.

READ MORE:

Coronavirus testing swamps lab and disrupts events

Assemblies, excursions and sports banned in NSW schools

Brigadoon postponed due to virus concern

As of 11am Sunday, there were no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the Southern NSW Local Health District.

Organisers of Collector's popular Pumpkin Festival have cancelled the event. Committee President Gary Poile said it would be "inappropriate" not to follow the advice.

"We've had a horrible summer with heatwaves, dust storms and smoke; we dodged the fires locally but there were small ones and then we had a one in 100-year flood in February and then a plague of mosquitoes," Collector Pumpkin Festival president Gary Poile said.

"We thought we were finally clear and had to have something to look forward to, so it's ultra-disappointing to have all those things and then this one comes along."

About 1500 people attended the 2019 event and the crowd has been bigger in previous years.

"The committee agonised over it for some time last week, but health has to come first. We all have to work together to slow the spread of the disease and the last thing we'd want is to have a healthy community and then an outbreak days after the festival," Mr Poile said.

Mr Poile said the virus would certainly have a big impact on the village, especially community projects that receive between $20,000 to $30,000 each year from festival profits.

Neverthless, planning will go ahead for the 2021 festival.

Meantime, Crookwell's Potato Festival, scheduled for May 9, has also been called off. The event normally attracts 2,500 people to the town and boosts the economy through accommodation bookings, equipment hire and money spent in cafes, restaurants and shops, Upper Lachlan Tourist Association tourism manager Andrew Warren said.

It also raises funds for the Upper Lachlan Foundation, which is passed onto community groups in the area.

Fortunately, the decision was made before major funds were spent on marketing the festival, Mr Warren said. Stallholders would be refunded and that the committee would begin planning the 2021 festival.

The Southern Tablelands Flock Ewe Championship, involving Boorowa, Crookwell, Gunning and Taralga, is set to go ahead this Friday, March 20. However, judge Will Roberts will no longer attend nor will the junior judging component of the championship go ahead.

Mr Roberts is due to return to Australia from a two week merino conference and tour in New Zealand and will need to self-isolate. Instead, John Alcock of Greenland in Bungarby, NSW will join Steve Phillips of Yarrawonga in Harden who was already confirmed to judge.

Following the Department of Education's latest policy for schools to ban excursions, organisers of the championship have also decided not to hold the usual junior judging, which would have required students to travel from Bathurst and Goulburn.

Organisers are also asking for limited numbers of the public to attend to keep the crowd to a minimum and for anyone feeling unwell not to attend at all.

They will also be encouraging social distancing measures including no hand shaking.

On Monday evening, Laggan Pub Car Show committee said it had made the "difficult decision to postpone" the event, due to be held on Saturday, March 21.

Organisers are looking at holding the car show in October/November 2020 but said it would depend on how the coronavirus situation played out.

Gunning Rural Fire Brigade has cancelled its April 4 trivia night and will make a decision about its Easter bunny run at a later date following advice from NSW Rural Fire Service headquarters to cancel all non-essential meetings, training and events.

All ticket holders will receive a full refund and the brigade hopes everyone can join them when they reschedule the event.

Elsewhere, Goulburn RSL Sub Branch president Gordon Wade said at this stage he was uncertain whether next month's Anzac Day march and 11am commemoration would proceed.

"We organise Anzac Day around council direction so we will fall into line with what they say but irrespective of that, Dawn Service will go ahead," he said.

"It will have to be limited to less than 500 people and we'll have to work out how to do that in conjunction with police."

Wagga Mayor Greg Conkey announced on Monday that the city's ANZAC Day march would be cancelled.

READ MORE: City's Anzac Day march cancelled for the first time in 101 years

Council management met on Monday morning about the health threat and its impact on events. A spokesman said an announcement would be made on Monday afternoon. A late report is also due to go to councillors at their meeting on Tuesday night.

Mr Wade said the State branch was meeting today at the earliest and Wednesday at the latest to set guidelines. The Goulburn RSL Sub Branch is meeting on Thursday and with the council on Friday.

"At this point it's 50/50 whether the march will go ahead," he told The Post.

"It's an event for people to show their gratitude for to our servicemen and women for giving up so much," he said.

"It's personally upsetting in that people have been curtailed from doing that. Even World wars didn't stop Anzac Day from going ahead.

"...This is a setback but we'll adapt, overcome and complete, to use an army term."

Meantime, about 120 people had bought tickets to Friday night's Shakin' Cocktail Party, raising money for and awareness of Parkinson's Disease.

Spokesman Warwick Bisset said the organising committee agonised over whether to cancel the Goulburn Workers Club function but had to make a call.

"The club needed to know (numbers) by Monday and we didn't want to inconvenience them because they've been so good to us," he said.

"...Although it would have been less than 500 people, it would have drawn a lot of people together that were in the vulnerable category...We're being cautious."

Magician Jonas Jost was due to perform on the night but has agreed to reschedule for the postponed function later in the year. Mr Jost had also recently emerged from a cruise ship, and although his health was fine, was concerned about the demographic at the Shakin' Cocktail event.

Mr Bisset's son undertook sound and lighting for Tom Hanks' wife, Rita Wilson, who recently sang at the Opera House. He used the same microphone and had to be tested for Coronavirus. This was negative. Mr Bisset's son was also set to do sound and lighting for the Shakin' Cocktail party.

"It all just compounded," Mr Bisset said.

"Often in the country we have this attitude that because we have no cases, it will be alright but we do have to take precautions."

All donated raffle prizes will carry over to the postponed date and tickets will be refunded. However, many people have pledged their ongoing support.

"Although we are disappointed at having to postpone, the next Shakin' Cocktail Party will be bigger and better. It will continue to lift public awareness of Parkinson's disease and add to the significant funds raised so far in support of the future appointment of a specialist nurse," Mr Bisset said.

Tulip bulbs donated by a Tasmanian farm, will still be on sale. They were due to be sold on the night. They are 15 for $20. Contact Gill O'Connor on 0418 168 558.

The Stardust Circus, scheduled for March 20 to 29 at the Goulburn Workers Arena, won't be going ahead.

Ringmaster and circus general manager, Adam Saint James, said the company, Janlan Circuses Pty Ltd, had made the call due to the "worsening situation."

"It's a long way to travel from Sydney with a whole fleet of vehicles, knowing where the whole thing is headed...The cost of bringing all those vehicles is very high," he said.

"...We decided from a business point of view not to take the risk of people not patronising us and the community and our staff members contracting the disease."

Stardust was set to perform 11 shows across the week. It will now take a two-week break and monitor the situation before deciding to continue its tour.

Mr St James said he hoped to bring the circus back to town at a later date but for now, was thinking of people's safety and wellbeing.

Goulburn's Meals on Wheels is continuing as usual but something else will accompany deliveries next week.

Woolworths has donated toilet paper to the State organisation.

Goulburn service manager Sharon Grummer said each Meals on Wheels branch had been asked how many packets were needed and deliveries were expected by the end of the week.

Woolworths today announced special shopping hours between 7am and 8am daily for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Mrs Grummer said Goulburn's 45 Meals on Wheels recipients hadn't expressed any difficulties in sourcing supplies.

"I'd say families would be looking after them...but I think they'll be appreciative of the toilet paper," she said.

The Yass Show Society Committee has decided to cancel the annual Show this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The organisers have postponed the popular entertainment event, PBR Bullride, and are are planning to run it later in the year.

"We are incredibly disappointed, especially considering the amount of work that has been done by our amazing volunteers and the wonderful support by all our sponsors," Catriona McAuliffe, vice president of Yass Show Society, said.

The 2020 memberships will be honoured by the committee at the Yass Show next year.

The show was going to be held at the Yass Showground on Saturday, March 21-22.

Maisie's Choir event in Yass has also been suspended indefinitely due to the Coronavirus scare.

Susan Brindle, president of Southern Tablelands Arts, has been in discussion with choir leader Heather Bullock regarding the health and safety of our Maisie's members, particularly those who are at higher risk of suffering from the virus.

"As you would be aware, the current threat of COVID-19 (or more commonly Coronavirus) is becoming more real every day," Caitlan Martin, administrative officer, Southern Tablelands Arts, said.

"It is after careful consideration and much deliberation that the decision has been made to suspend Maisie's Choir meetings effective immediately until this threat has passed.

"This decision has come from a place of serious concern, and while we don't want to pander to panic and hysteria, we want to ensure that we consider all the facts as they are presented.

"We have taken on board advice from the government and other authorised people and organisations."

CanAssist has postponed its fundraiser Elvis One Night which was due to be held on Friday, March 21 at Yass Soldiers Club.

"We had to make the difficult decision to postpone the event due to coronavirus scare," Can Assist Yass Valley branch volunteer, Annie Waterhouse, said.

Woolworths has started a dedicated hour for elderly and disabled from 7-8am from Tuesday to Friday this week.

"The dedicated hour will help them to get stock and make a purchase in a protected space," Renay Batt, store manager of Woolworths in Yass said.

Products like hand sanitisers, pasta, rice and toilet paper continue to be the most purchased items for the shoppers.

"We are closing at 8pm instead of 10pm so that we can restock the shelves for our customers," she said.

Yass Valley Council has asked people to follow NSW Department of Health guidelines.

"Yass Valley Council is constantly monitoring the COVID-19 situation and taking our advice and instructions from the Australian Government Department of Health," council spokesperson said.

"The health and safety of our community is our highest priority.

"We wish to reassure our residents that it is business as usual and, at this stage, all Council facilities remain open as normal.

"Council refers residents to information provided by the Australian Government Department of Health, and we will be following their instructions and guidelines.

"Our number one priority, should the virus escalate, will be maintaining the provision of essential services such as water and wastewater services and waste collection.

"We have increased our hygiene practices within the council, in particular our main facilities and areas that are open to the public, for example, the Library, Visitor's Information Centre and Council Office. There are hand sanitisers and tissues etc. available at these places and surfaces are being wiped over regularly.

"The most important thing we can do is to follow the NSW Department of Health guidelines and practise good hygiene to protect against infection and prevent the virus from spreading.

"We will update the community on Council events if necessary, but at this stage, all events/meetings are running as normal as we do not expect crowds of over 500."

More to come