Mayors welcome lockdown news

Thursday, 9 September 2021

The Northern Rivers Joint Organisation (NRJO) has welcomed the news that the regional lockdown is to be eased, but has also restated its call for tighter guidelines on NSW intrastate travel exemptions to ensure the area remains free of COVID 19.

Sections of the region have endured almost five weeks of lockdown which was initially started by three travellers from Sydney who tested positive to COVID while visiting the region.

NRJO Chair, Cr Danielle Mulholland, said businesses and the communities across the Northern Rivers had suffered under the weight of the closures and, with no community transmission, it was appropriate the restrictions to be eased.

“The Northern Rivers is a highly interconnected area with people travelling between towns for work, education, medical appointments and more. Each time there has been an imported COVID scare the region has responded with increased testing and the subsequent lack of community transmission is testimony to the COVID safe procedures in place.

“There does, however, need to be more rigor around the public health exemptions process to ensure those coming to the Northern Rivers from other parts of the State are doing so for the right reasons and are adhering to the guidelines.

“Whilst this lockdown has been eased, COVID is with us for some time so it is important that we continue to adhere to the public health advice such as handwashing, signing in with QR codes, social distancing and getting tested if people have any symptoms,” Cr Mulholland said.

The Statewide lockdown is due to end on midnight on Friday September 10.

Cr Mulholland said the end of the stay-at-home order for the Northern Rivers Region would assist negotiations for a more proportionate border arrangement with the Queensland Government.

“We again find ourselves with students, staff and business owners locked out of their normal day to day activities in Queensland, as well as those needing medical help or to connect with families.

“The Northern Rivers needs a road map from the Queensland Government outlining the necessary steps to begin relaxing border restrictions. Now that the COVID free status of our region has been acknowledged by the NSW Government with eased restrictions we hope QLD will reassess their regulations,” Cr Mulholland said.

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