Coronavirus: Hornsby Council ramps up cleaning, enforce social distancing, staff work from home

Hornsby Shire Council has announced it will be enforcing new measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak and have established a pandemic plan.

Hornsby Shire Council Chambers is located next to Hornsby Local Court.

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Event cancellations, staff working from home, increased cleaning services and social distancing is just the start to a raft of new measures enforced by the Hornsby Council.

Hornsby isn’t the only council rolling out a pandemic plan with Northern Beaches Council closing major public facilities like libraries and aquatic centres.

Hornsby Shire Council said it wouldn’t be closing council facilities for now and would still be maintaining essential services.

Hornsby Council General Manager Steven Head. Picture: Joel Carrett

“The safety and wellness of our community and staff is our first priority,” general manager Steven Head said.

“It is our intention to maintain normal operations for as long as possible for our community, including the operation of facilities, and we are constantly monitoring for changes in government advice.

“Social distancing measures, strict cleaning regimes and monitoring of patron numbers are in place at all council facilities and business locations.

“Our pandemic plan is designed to ensure the council’s essential services can continue to operate with minimal disruption.”

Hornsby Aquatic and Leisure Centre remains open for now after other councils have closed major public facilities.

He said essential service teams had been separated for business continuity purposes to maintain waste collections, customer service, IT, employment services and communications.

“We will continue to roll out our business continuity plans in response to this evolving situation. This includes staff working from home.

“In the interest of public health, we made the decision this week to cancel most council events until April 30 and will reassess events beyond that date in the coming days and weeks.”

People line up outside Hornsby Local Court while trying to socially distance themselves to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Picture: Madelaine Wong

Meanwhile, Hornsby Local Court is also taking extra precautions by spacing out where people sit inside the court rooms.

Staff were set up outside courtroom doors on Wednesday to give people the nod of approval to step in or by denying “unnecessary” visitors access.

There was COVID-19 precaution signs posted to doors with a list of expectations for attendees.