People are tested from their cars at the COVID-19 clinic at 1-5 MacDonald Street, Yass. Photo: Supplied.
Residents of the Yass Valley have had a short-lived taste of freedom, with a confirmed COVID-19 case plunging the council area back into a snap lockdown.
New restrictions will be in place from midnight tonight for at least the next two weeks to try to prevent the spread of the potentially deadly Delta variant.
Health authorities say a case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the area today (Monday) following a recent positive sewage detection. Urgent investigations and contact tracing are underway.
Following updated health advice from Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant about the growing risk to the community, stay-at-home orders will apply to all people who live in the Yass Valley Council area or have been there on or after Thursday, 9 September.
Everyone in these areas must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason.
The reasons you may leave your home include:
- Shopping for food or other essential goods and services;
- Medical care or compassionate needs (people can leave home to have a COVID-19 vaccination unless you have been identified as a close contact);
- If you are fully vaccinated, you can attend an outdoor gathering of up to five people for exercise or outdoor recreation so long as all those at the gathering aged 16 years or over are fully vaccinated.
- Work, or tertiary education, where you cannot work or study from home;
- To attend a wedding or a funeral. A maximum of 11 people can attend a wedding service. This means a maximum of five guests, the two people being married, the two witnesses, the celebrant or officiant, and one person recording the service. A maximum of 10 people can attend a funeral.
You must wear a face mask in all indoor or outdoor areas other than a place of residence. This includes when you are on a street, in a park, at the shops or work. There are limited exceptions, such as where you are in a vehicle with members of your household or your nominated visitor (‘singles bubble’), when exercising, when eating or drinking, and in emergencies.
It is vital people continue to come forward for testing to help find any COVID-19 cases in the community. The government and health experts will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updated information and advice.
When announcing parts of regional NSW would come out of lockdown on Saturday, 11 September, Deputy Premier John Barilaro warned the changed conditions would last only as long as an LGA remained COVID-free.
The Yass Valley Shire Council area is the first to have those freedoms revoked.
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