LDMG Meeting 23rd March 2020
The Cherbourg Local Disaster Management Group called a full meeting today at the Cherbourg Council Chambers, which was attended by stake holders and community service providers, this included, DATSIP, DDMG, health, education and Council Community Services both face to face and via conference call.
COVID19 (CARONA Virus) has been identified as the single largest threat to our communities health, plans are being enacted that will stand for at least the next 6 months or more. This pandemic CANNOT be taken lightly; it is dangerous to Cherbourg, our elderly and most vulnerable. It is important that community know that following a disaster declaration for Queensland the LDMG are working with all our service providers helping to prepare community.
Due to the disaster declaration, community protection measures now mean all non- essential works in community have been suspended, it is also important to know this is not a lock down, community cannot and will not be sealed off, however movements in and out of community will be restricted to essential services.
Moving forward, road Restrictions will apply – the only way in and out of Cherbourg will be via a checkpoint that will be manned by local people supported by, Queensland Health and QPS.
A check point will appear on the main Murgon Road into community, only essential movements in and out of community will be allowed, all people entering the community will be screened at checkpoints
It is important to know – this checkpoint is not designed to keep people in community, it is there to help keep CORONA VIRUS out.
If you need to go to town for shopping, you can, but think before you get on the road, how many people do you need in your vehicle, only one person really needs to go into town for shopping – so lets work together to help each other out.
You can still attend hospital and Doctors and Hospital appointments for things like dialysis.
At this point all service providers are being contacted to verify which employees are considered essential to attend Cherbourg.
Community need to know that the Cherbourg LDMG is prepared. We have well thought out and developed Strategy’s for disaster management in our community, we have now enacted protocols and procedures for Pandemic control – with numerous scenarios catered for.
Because of this preparation, we are able to move calmly and smoothly toward setting in place measures to best handle this unfolding COVID-19 event.
As the event continues, protocols to handle the emerging situation will also continue evolving.
Please look out for our most vulnerable, our elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, Cherbourg is the safest place for people to be at the moment, as at today there are NO COMFIRMED CASES in our community – for that reason it is critical that we all remain calm and stay where we are, it is important that we all observe good hygiene and social distancing practices.
Sales and supply of food, health and other Essential goods are being addressed and will be trucked into Cherbourg in future – and all items will be priced and distributed fairly.
The future is uncertain for us at the moment, the measures we are going to see taken, will feel alien and out of place, not normal – they are likely to feel disruptive and uncomfortable but be assured, they are necessary….and are being carried out in the interests of protection of community.
The federal government has announced a number of support measures for the unemployed and those who may have lost work because of the CORONA VIRUS event.
As of today, the Cherbourg LDMG will create a number of sub-groups to address specific issues affecting community.
These sub groups include:
A HEALTH Sub Group – to include Education – who will also handle a list of essential persons (supplied by stakeholders and service providers)
A Human Social Sub-Group – to manage activities and events in community
A Re-supply of goods sub group (for food and health)
A Corporate Communications sub group to keep everyone updated
A Check-point Sub group – will hold a list of people allowed into community
THIS IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO OUR COMMUNITY – THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
People need to know this is a SERIOUS event and community must act accordingly – a lot of what people will see in the way of control measures will most likely be found to be very confronting.
At the check point there will be a process of questioning and health checks.
The checkpoint will be managed locally by local people.
Checkpoints will be in place within 24 hours – communications of updates will come through all available channels, council website, social media and Cherbourg Radio.
COVID-19 CASES in our Region.
Queensland Health advise, that as of today, Monday 23rd March – there are no positive cases in the SB area – there is 1 person in isolation – there are on average, 70 tests per day – with results coming back on average within 24 hours.
Local Cherbourg and Murgon Schools remain open and all decisions are being made on advice from Qld health – schools will remain open until start of school holidays 3rd of April.
Parents are however, able to decide if their children will attend school.Please advise your local school if your children will not be going to school.
Moving forward, it is understood that there will be some issue with access to online learning due to internet or availability of digital devices at home, however the education department will have materials for continued learning available if parents do choose to keep their children at home.
It is important to know, that teachers and students travelling in and out of community will be subject to all checkpoint requirements – students or teachers indicating chronic health conditions will be required to seek advice from medical professionals and to self-isolate if necessary.
Extreme hygiene measures are being taken in schools to address protection of health – all advice is coming from Queensland Health.
Please keep an eye on the Council Website, Official Social Media Channels and Listen to our Cherbourg Radio for further updates.
Arnold Murray Chatur Zala
Mayor Chief Executive Officer