Pittwater Online News

Restrictions To Further Limit The Spread Of The COVID-19 Delta Strain

Saturday July 17, 2021: issued by The Premier, Minister for Health and Medical Research

Given the number of infectious cases in the community, the following changes will be made to further limit the spread of the COVID-19 Delta strain.

On the basis of updated health advice, the following changes come into effect across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour until 11.59pm on Friday, 30 July:

From 11.59pm on Saturday, 17 July:

• Retail premises will be required to close (‘click and collect’, takeaway and home delivery can still operate), except the following can remain open:
• Supermarkets and grocery stores (including butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable stores, liquor stores and fishmongers);
• Stores that predominantly sell health, medical, maternity and infant supplies;
• Pharmacies and chemists;  
• Petrol stations;
• Car hire;
• Banks and financial institutions;
• Hardware, nurseries and building supplies;
• Agricultural and rural supplies;
• Pet supplies;
• Post offices and newsagents; and
• Office supplies. 
• In addition to the stay-at-home rules, residents of Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool LGAs cannot leave their LGA for work except for emergency services and healthcare workers (including aged and disability workers). Where those workers do need to leave their LGA for work, they are required to be tested every three days, even if they do not have symptoms;
• Anyone who leaves the home must have a mask with them at all times. They must be worn when you are working outdoors, in outdoor markets, outdoor shopping strips, and in an outdoor queues waiting for products such as coffee and food; and
• All carpooling to be stopped unless among members of the same household.

From 12.01am on Monday, 19 July:

• All construction to be paused; and
• Non-urgent maintenance, including cleaning services, and repair work on residential premises to be paused.

From 12.01am on Wednesday, 21 July:

• Employers must allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so, failure to do so can result in a fine of up to $10,000.

We are constantly reviewing the health advice and will continue to update the community if any changes are required. 

All other restrictions currently in place across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour will remain in place.

These decisions have not been made lightly and we understand this is a difficult time for the community and appreciate their ongoing patience. 

It is vital people continue to come forward for testing to help us find any COVID-19 cases in the community. 

Restrictions in regional NSW remain unchanged. 

Read the latest COVID-19 information.

NSW Health Update: Saturday July 17, 2021

NSW recorded 111 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. 

Of these locally acquired cases, 59 are linked to a known case or cluster – 47 are household contacts and 12 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 52 cases remains under investigation.

Sixty-nine cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and ten cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Twenty-nine cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of three cases remains under investigation.

Six new overseas-acquired cases were recorded in the same period. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is now 6,644.

Sadly, a man in his late-80s from south-eastern Sydney died yesterday. NSW Health extends its sincere sympathies to his family.

There have been 1,137 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in the Bondi cluster was reported.

There are currently 75 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 18 people in intensive care, six of whom require ventilation. 

MORE HERE

Sydney Wildlife Mobile Van Celebrates One Year Of Weekly Clinic Service: Donate Your Return/Earn Bottles To Support Vital Wildlife Rescue And Rehabilitation - Every 10 Cents Counts

As a 100% voluntary organisation, Sydney Wildlife relies on donations from the public to meet these costs, at present largely met, in the case of ongoing at-home rehabilitation, by the Sydney Wildlife Volunteer Carers themselves. 

In Pittwater we have a dedicated and outstanding group of people who are all members of Sydney Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation. From Pittwater has sprung the realisation of the Sydney Wildlife Mobile Clinic as well as the Waratah Park based Sydney Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

Currently Sydney Wildlife Rescue is registered for Return and Earn in NSW. This time it is accessed by an App called My Tomra  - which is the organisation that runs the recycling. To donate your returned bottles simply download the My Tomra App, then search “Our Wildlife” and you will see Sydney Wildlife Rescue listed. You can set that as the payout. 

Northern Beaches Secret Rocks - NBSR

Northern Beaches Secret Rocks NBSR Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1552698581430500/ 

Ever thought about joining a ROCK group? Here's your chance!

Northern Beaches Secret Rocks was created to bring people together with fun and encouraging messages shared on rocks, art on rocks or art and messages together! Their wish is that those who encounter these rocks will be touched in a special way perhaps by love, hope, gratitude, or any positive emotion.

Sarah Downes, founder of the group, shares some insights as this Issue's Profile of the Week.