MIDCOAST Council is reinforcing the message from the State and Federal Governments and the Police, urging travellers not to visit the region this Easter, in line with COVID-19 restrictions and recommendations.

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The National Cabinet has made it clear that everyone should continue to stay at home unless they are shopping for essentials, are receiving medical care, are undertaking daily exercise or are attending work or school, with the Public Health COVID-19 Restrictions of Gathering and Movement Order 2020 coming into effect this week.

“Holidays and travel are simply not essential and I’d like to reiterate the Government’s clear message that now is not the time to travel from metropolitan areas to regional NSW for a holiday – the safest thing you can do right now is stay at home, in your community, and you can expect the police to caution and fine those not adhering to these rules,” MidCoast Council Mayor, David West said.

“I’m saying this to our community members too. This virus is everywhere. It’s not the time to travel between towns, there should be none of that.

“To help slow the spread we need to keep following the self-isolation advice, do the right thing by our families, friends and neighbours, which means staying 1.5 metres away from others, avoiding social gatherings, washing hands and ensuring that if you are sick, you are self-isolating.”

Mr West has been particularly concerned about the upcoming Easter break, with fears that people from the city may try to relocate themselves to regional NSW in an attempt to escape quarantine, which could potentially see a spike in local cases and be dangerous to the community.

“More than anything the health and safety of our community is paramount and we’re all in this together, we all need to do our bit to help stop the spread,” Mayor West added.

“I want to assure everyone, the MidCoast will still be here when this is all over and we will be ready to welcome all holidaymakers and tourists, but not now, our region’s borders are unofficially closed until this pandemic is finished.”

The NSW Police Minister, Mick Fuller announced this week that the Restrictions on Gathering and Movement Order will remain in place for 90 days.

For more information on MidCoast Council’s ongoing response to COVID-19, head to their website and visit the Health NSW website to stay up to date with their advice and information.