Page 2038 - Week 07 - Thursday, 20 August 2020
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our efforts. We also need to take care of ourselves and of one another, particularly our most vulnerable. As we learn to adapt our lives to our changed world, I want to acknowledge that life has been far from normal in 2020: this has been a very tough year for our community, and some have had an especially hard time.
This pandemic has had far-reaching effects across Canberra. Our thoughts are with those who have experienced loss, illness and high levels of anxiety during this time. They are also with the many Canberrans who have lost jobs and livelihoods or whose incomes have been significantly affected and who are really doing it tough right now. I would like to recognise the efforts of our community organisations who have provided ongoing assistance to those who have been most affected and to thank the community as a whole for its united response and for helping those in need. As I said earlier, Canberrans are to be congratulated for their combined efforts, to date, that have seen the community remain free of community transmission and with very few cases over recent months. We want this to continue.
Our recovery plan is focused on minimising risk as restrictions are eased and putting in place appropriate measures to manage these risks as best as possible. There are no immediate plans to ease restrictions further at this time; however, we will continue to plan for future easing of restrictions when the Chief Health Officer advises that it is appropriate.
Members are obviously aware that all jurisdictions have travel restrictions in place at this time in relation to Victoria, and all jurisdictions other than Victoria have their borders closed or heavily restricted for travellers from New South Wales and the ACT.
The Chief Health Officer also has clear advice for Canberrans about appropriate travel, including that ACT residents should not be travelling to Victoria unless it is absolutely essential. She is also advising people not to travel to greater Sydney, nor invite family and friends from the greater Sydney region to the ACT, and to keep an eye on the evolving situation elsewhere in New South Wales.
The government’s current advice for any ACT resident who plans to travel is to follow the guidance on both the ACT COVID-19 website and the COVID-19 website of the state you are travelling to, and to remember that, while travelling, it is each person’s responsibility to maintain physical distancing and practise good hand hygiene, as well as to adhere to the rules of the jurisdiction in which you are travelling.
ACT Health is also advising anyone who has recently visited locations identified by NSW Health as having cases of COVID-19 to please follow the advice being provided by the New South Wales health authorities. Workers, volunteers and visitors in high risk settings are being provided with additional advice, and employers are being asked to ensure that those people do not attend high risk settings within 14 days of being in an identified COVID-19 hotspot.
People who work in other health settings, such as general practitioners and other community health practitioners, have been advised that they can continue to deliver services. However, they should remain vigilant and, if symptoms develop, should
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