Easter events canned, nursing homes briefed on COVID-19
Events across the Redlands are being cancelled, while the council teams up with nursing homes to ensure the region’s elderly are protected from coronavirus. Find out which events have been cancelled and what other actions are in place in the city.
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REDLAND City’s popular Easter celebrations have been cancelled as social distancing rules come into play and the region’s council braces for the impact of coronavirus.
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The annual event, held at Cleveland Showgrounds, was expected to attract about 20,000 people will not go ahead following the Australian Government’s banning of “static” gatherings of more than 500 people.
A number of events scheduled for the remainder of the month and April have now been cancelled. They include:
● Redland City Bands Dance/Concert on Saturday 21 March 2020
● Redlands Coast Community Garden Grand Opening on Saturday 21 March 2020
● Community Connections Movie in the Park on Saturday 21 March 2020
● Redland Museum’s Harmony and Heritage Fiesta on Sunday 22 March 2020
● BIMSARA Billy Cart Race on Sunday 5 April 2020
● Straddie Sharks Easter Carnival on Saturday 11 April 2020
● Redlands Easter Family Festival on Monday 13 April 2020
● Coochiemudlo Easter Markets on Easter Sunday 12 April 2020
The cancellations follow the closure of Redland Performing Arts Centre which will not open doors to the public until at least April 30.
A range of public programs at Redlands Coast art galleries and libraries have also been cancelled or postponed.
Redland City Council Mayor Karen Williams said the programs had been suspended until further notice as a precaution.
“Based on the social distancing and hygiene requirements for COVID-19, the difficult decision was made to suspend public programs at the Cleveland and Capalaba galleries and the Cleveland, Capalaba and Victoria Point libraries in the interest of public health and safety,” Cr Williams said.
The actions come as Metro South Health confirms a case of COVID-19 at Redland Hospital.
Cr Williams is leading the region’s disaster management committee which was moved the group to ‘lean forward’ status last week to ensure heightened vigilance and preparedness across the Redlands.
“Teams are working and planning across Council to ensure continuation of essential services should COVID-19 impact heavily on Redlands Coast,” Cr Williams said.
“The LDMG is also receiving regular briefs from Federal and State health authorities to assist with planning; and Council’s Business Continuation and Pandemic plans have been activated.
“This means community members will start to see advisory posters and health messaging consistent with that of the Australian and Queensland governments, which are leading the health communications on COVID-19.”
She stressed the need for all community members to help slow the spread of COVID-19 by following the recommendations of health authorities:
● Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
● Stay at home if you are unwell
● Practise social distance, keeping 1.5m away from others
● Cover your mouth or nose with your elbow when coughing or sneezing
● Use disposable tissues and, immediately after use, dispose of them in an appropriate waste bin, ideally with a lid
● Clean surfaces regularly with disinfectant
● Avoid contact with anyone showing adverse respiratory symptoms
● Adhere to the Australian Government’s 14-day self-isolation requirement if returning from overseas
Cr Williams said it was vital the community helped protect the region’s more vulnerable residents including the elderly.
“It’s important that we look out for our older residents and others with underlying health issues, listen to reliable advice from health authorities and take responsible action,” she said.
“Council is also aware of the vulnerabilities of our island communities and I have written to both the State and Federal health ministers to highlight these vulnerabilities.”
She said the council had been liaising with local aged care facilities to ensure staff are trained and understand the crucial disease management practises.
Redland City Council CEO Andrew Chesterman said the council was focusing on four key areas during the pandemic:
● Keeping employees and the community safe
● Business continuity planning to ensure critical services continue
● Supporting the LDMG (Local Disaster Management Group) at ‘lean forward’
● Communicating reliable information to employees and the Redlands Coast community
“This is an unprecedented situation and it is important that we as an organisation and community do not panic but are prepared,” Mr Chesterman said.
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