Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected people from many countries around the world. As this is a new virus, we are learning things about it all the time. Council is receiving information daily from the Australian and State Governments, led by the Department of Health, as key agency. Here, we have compiled the most relevant and up-to-date information and resources.

Standing Directives

(last updated 11:00am Friday, 29 May 2020)

Australian and State Government

See all the latest and accurate Queensland Essential Information.

19 May 2020 - The QLD Government has announced a suiite of economic initiatives, in partnership with the private secotr, to reinvigorate the QLD economy. See the details of the Queensland Economic Recovery Strategy: Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs'

11:59pm Friday, 15 May 2020 - Eased Restrictions of Stage 1:

Gatherings of a maximum of 10 people together in a public space
Dining in at restaurants, pubs, clubs, RSLs and cafes for a maximum of 10 patrons at one time as part of a gradual re-opening (no bars or gaming)
Recreational travel of a radius of up to 150km from your home for day trips
Some beauty therapies and nail salons for up to 10 people at one time
Reopening of libraries. playground equipment, skate parks and outdoor gyms (a maximum of 10 at one time)
Wedding guests increased to 10 people and funeral attendance increased to 20 (30 outdoors)
Open homes and auctions with a maximum of 10 people at one time;
Re-opening public pools and lagoons (eg South Bank, Cairns, Airlie Beach) with a maximum of 10 people at a time or greater numbers with an approved plan

For Outback Queensland, where there have been no COVID cases, two special concessions have been made:

Dining in at pubs and cafes will be up to 20 for locals only, reflecting the important role these venues play in connecting small outback communities; and
Recreational travel of a radius of up to 500 kilometres reflecting the long distances in the Outback.

Please continue to practice social distancing and use good hygiene! Full Details of Premier's Roadmap to Recovery.

McKinlay Shire Specific

Building on the directives from Federal and State Governmen and Health agencies, the following directives are in place.

Council Facilities now open as per Stage 1:

Saturday, 16 May - Julia Creek Swimming Pool
- Winter Hours: Mon-Sat 2-6pm, Sun 1-5pm
- Maximum 10 patrons at a time
Monday, 18 May - Julia Creek Library (see full operating conditions)
- Hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 2pm
- Maximum 10 patrons at a time, with each individual allowed a maximum of 30 minutes inside the premises
- 1 public computer available for emergency use
- Please do not enter if you are suffering from mild cold or flu-like symptoms
- All book ordering services, and deliveries are still available.

Council Facilities STILL CLOSED or operating differently, re-opening as per Stage 2 (12 June) or Stage 3 (10 July):

Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre
Julia Creek Daren Ginns Centre (Gym) - dependant on COVIDSAFE PLAN
Julia Creek Free RV Park
Artesian Baths
All Council Facilities are unavailable for hire. They will remain open for use for essential services i.e. Health Services
Julia Creek Caravan Park is open for a limit of one (1) night maximum stay for the transit community to manage safety purposes and fatigue.

McKinlay Shire Playgrounds & Parks, OPEN from 16 May:

Peter Dawes Park
Lions Park
McIntyre Park
Kynuna Park
Centenary Park McKinlay

Altered Council Services:

CHSP - Commonwealth Home Support Program services will be modified to protect our most vulnerable citizens. Group activities will cease immediately. Domestic assistance will continue, though maybe reduced. Shopping will be provided twice a week however it will be a delivery service as opposed to a personal shopping experience. Meals on Wheels will continue as normal.
Childcare - Childcare is business as usual. Council will be guided by Government advice and will remain open until such time as we are given instruction to close. However this is also dependent on staff availability; if staff get sick we will need to consider numbers we can provide care to.

Council Contractors:

Council relies heavily on both local and specialised contractors in order to complete our work. (i.e critical flood repairs, water security projects and rewal to water and swerage network - essential services)

In order to balance safety and the support of our economy Council is working closely with ALL contractors to ensure our community is safe and that they are following the Law. Contractors are required to make plans and declare the health of all of their workers EVERY time they come in and out of the Shire. Whilst we are doing this for our contractors, other businesses or the State or Federal Government may differ. However EVERYONE is under the SAME rules now.

Local Business:

19 May 2020 - Updates have been made to the Trading Hours Notice No. 2 for the extension of the declared public health emergency for a further 90 days,until midnight on Monday, 17 August 2020.

State and Federal directives are expected to be followed. See full details of non-essential businesses and exceptions.

See a list of McKinlay Shire businesses effected and changes to their service delivery.

School & Education:

25 May 2020 - Julia Creek State School is open for all students in Years 2 to 10. Social distancing and good hygiene is being practiced.

19 May 2020 - Updates have been made to the Home Confinement, Movement and Gathering Direction No. 6 to allow students in Years 2 to 10 to return to school from 25 May 2020. This will result in all students from community kindergarten, Prep, Year 1 to Year 12 being allowed to return to school.

Find out more about the Queensland school holiday and term dates. For further information visit Education Queensland or Frequently Asked Questions.

Travel:

NEW! 29 May 2020 - Seasonal Worker Notice from McKinlay Shire Council, regarding all mustering contractors as well as the grazing properties they work on. See the QLD Gov Seasonal Workers Health Management Direction.

19 May 2020 - Entry into QLD remains temporarily prohibited unless the travel is exempt under the Chief Health Officer's Border Restrictions Direction. All Queenslanders returning home from interstate require a valid QLD Entry Pass.

State and Federal directives are expected to be followed. - (see the latest details)
- Anyone who is not a QLD resident or considered exempt from border closure restrictions will not be able to enter QLD. Direct Information re Border Closure
  - People with exemptions must have a border pass prior to crossing the border.
- Any non-citizens or residents are banned from travelling to Australia
The Julia Creek Caravan Park is open for a limit of one (1) night maximum stay for the transit community to manage safety purposes and fatigue.
REX are flying their normal 3 days a week for Julia Creek commencing, 4 May 2020.