Lord mayor warns visitors and residents to “stay at home” this Easter

WOLLONGONG Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbury has delivered a simple message to those intending to visit the Illawarra this Easter long weekend – stay at home!

Cr Bradbury has urged people to stay at home over the long-weekend and stick to the Government guidelines to reduce the risk of coronavirus. He said those who might traditionally day-trip to the area or visit beaches or parks over Easter should stay away.

Council will support NSW Police in monitoring of popular areas along the foreshore and in parks and on the beaches. People are able exercise at beaches, but with the swim flags down at all patrolled beaches, Council advise people to stay safe and not to swim.

“Ordinarily we welcome visitors to our city and invite you to share with us our beautiful ‘backyard’, but not this year,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“Please stay away, stay home and return for a visit when we’ve all moved beyond this challenging time.”

Cr Bradbery said if individuals see groups of people “doing the wrong thing” and not following the Government’s gatherings or social and physical distancing guidelines they should contact NSW Police, so that they can respond.

“We all need to work together to manage the spread of coronavirus and that includes taking the right steps ourselves in terms of health and hygiene and limiting our exposure to others, but also letting appropriate authority, in this instance the NSW Police, know when people are doing the wrong thing,” Cr Bradbury said.

“There is no question – Easter 2020 is a different proposition to what people might traditionally expect from this celebration and the long weekend,’’ he said.

“This is not a time for long lunches with extended family, it’s not a time to hit the road for a weekend away, and it’s not time for a leisurely picnic in the park or sunbaking on the beach.

“This year Easter is a time to stay close to home. It’s time to take the opportunity to enjoy life in and around your home, and to limit your time within the broader community to just completing essential tasks like picking up groceries and exercising.”

Earlier this week, Council acknowledged the efforts of frontline medical staff who were working during the pandemic at its first-ever online-only Council meeting.

The Council also thanked those delivering essential and emergency services during this time, and encouraged everyone to look out for their neighbours.