Cherbourg Local Disaster Managment Group met today in a conference call hosted by Mayor Elvie Sandow. The meeting heard from Dr Katie Panaretto who reinforced the need for locals to follow new gathering restrictions, no more than 10 people in your home or in public groups, Dr Katie advised that a lot of new COVID19 cases were spread once introduced into confined spaces like the home, when the virus gets into a household it is easier for the virus to infect the people living in that residence.
Dr Katie also reinforced the importance of not traveling to virus hot spots at this time, especially Ipswich and Inala and for residents should not encourage visitors from the current hot spots.
Acting Inspector Scott Stahlutt who is based at Murgon and consulting with Cherbourg LDMG in disaster management told the meeting that while there are no cases of COVID19 in our local area, there are concerns about new restrictions not being followed. Queensland Police have advised that officers will now be monitoring groups and gatherings with a view to encouraging compliance and if necessary will take enforcement action.
Anyone not following new restrictions risks the following fines
| Infringement Code – Particulars – Penalty | Power Provision | Offence section | Reason | Example |
| 0225 – Contravene Requirement – Declared Public Health Emergency – $1334 | s.345 | s.346 | Noncompliance verbal requirement by Police Officer | A person fails to state their name and address A person fails to answer questions A person fails to comply with a requirement to leave a particular place |
| 0227 – Fail to Comply with COVID-19 Public Health Direction – $1334 | s.362B | s.362D | Noncompliance with CHO Direction | A person has a party at their home with more than 10 people present (regardless of how many people are members of the household). A group of 25 friends playing football in a park. A person coughs on a public health official A person coughs on a health worker at their place of work. |
| 0229 – Fail to Comply with COVID-19 Direction – Emergency Officer – $1334 | s.362G | s.362J | Noncompliance with written Direction (Self-quarantine Notice) | A person breaches a written 14-day Self-quarantine Direction i.e. by leaving their premises to go for walk in the park The only reason a person who has been directed to self-quarantine can leave their residences is to obtain essential medical treatment/service or in the event of an emergency. |
The Chief Health Officer (CHO) has expanded the list of restricted Local Government Areas (LGAs), which is now in effect. The list of restricted LGAs is now:
- Brisbane City
- Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire
- Gold Coast City
- Goondiwindi Regional
- Ipswich City
- Lockyer Valley Regional
- Logan City
- Moreton Bay Regional
- Redland City
- Scenic Rim Regional
- Somerset Regional
- South Burnett Regional
- Southern Downs Regional
- Toowoomba Regional
- Western Downs Regional
In these restricted LGAs, gatherings are now limited to 10 people in the home or publicly where there is no COVID Safe plan. Visits to aged care centres, disability accommodation services and hospitals are also restricted. The affected public health directions are:
- Movement and Gathering Direction (No. 3)
- Hospital Visitors Direction (No. 6)
- Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No. 2)
- Aged Care Direction (No. 9)
Community need to be vigilant, if anyone knows of a person or persons who is in our region coming from a hot spot, police encourage you to report so that testing can be done. QPS will be making sure community sticks to COVID safety protocols with social distancing and gatherings.