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.

Standing Directives

(last updated Tuesday, 12 January 2021)

12 January 2021: Greater Brisbane's 3-day lockdown

Greater Brisbane's lockdown ended at 6:00pm AEST on 11 January 2021, but some restrictions will remain, including the requirement to wear a mask.

Please note these restricitons continue to apply to people who have been in teh Greater Brisbane region since 2 January 2021, no matter where they may have travelled since, including anywhere in McKinlay Shire.

11 January 2021 - Updated Roadmap to Easing Restrictions
If you have been in Greater Brisbane from 2 January 2021

Australian and State Government

See all the latest and accurate Queensland Essential Information.
All QLD Government COVID-19 information | All Australian Government COVID-19 information.

Other Official Online Resources:

Health advice (QLD Gov)
Resources including posters and factsheets (QLD Gov)
Travel advice (Australian Gov)
Advice on economic assistance for affected industries and small business (QLD Gov)
Department of Health Australia (Australian Gov)
QLD Roadmap to Easing Restrictions
QLD Economic Recovery Strategy

McKinlay Shire Specific

Building on the directives from Federal and State Government and Health agencies, the following is in place.

23 Oct 2020 - Julia Creek MPHS COVID-19 Testing Update:

COVID-19 swabs can now be taken from the comfort of your airconditioned car, by calling MPHS in advance. Full Details
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, please call Julia Creek MPHS (4746 4000) to get tested for COVID-19:

Cough
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Sore throat
Fever

McKinlay Shire is OPEN:

Julia Creek Caravan Park - Artesian Bathhouses	As Per Stage 3 COVID Safe plans in place
Juila Creek - Daren Ginns Centre (Gym)	As Per Stage 2 The gym will be open to local residents of McKinlay Shire only - must produce licence/rates notice Members are required to visit Council Reception to pay for membership for the month of June only (due to a new security system to be installed soon) before they are allowed to utilse the facilitiy. Cost is $20 for renewing members, new members are required to pay $20 plus a joining fee of $20. Maximum of 10 persons allowed in the facility at all times The gym involves close contact/frequently touching surfaces, so members are reminded to adhere to strict hygiene practices, including using a towel, thoroughly wiping down equipment and using sanitiser whilst using the facility Members are reminded to not attend the gym if they are not 100% well and are experiencing mild cold/flu-like symptoms or have any pre-existing COVID risk factors (returned from overseas/been in contact with someone who has tested positive, are displaying symptoms, are in quarantine/isolation, etc.) Those in the "high risk" category for serious infection from COVID-19 are recommended to assess using the facility at their own risk.
Julia Creek - CHSP	As Per Stage 2 Commonwealth Home Support Program services are modified to protect our most vulnerable citizens. From 10 June, Wednesday gatherings will resume, limited to CHSP clients only. There are still no Monday games. Domestic assistance and Meals on Wheels continue as normal. Advice on visiting Aged Care Facilities
Julia Creek Early Learning Centre	As Per Stage 2 Childcare is business as usual. This is still dependent on staff availability; if staff get sick we will need to consider numbers we can provide care to.
Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre	As Per Stage 2 COVID Safe plans in place
Julia Creek Free RV Park	As Per Stage 2 COVID Safe plans in place
Julia Creek Caravan Park	As Per Stage 2 COVID Safe plans in place
Julia Creek Swimming Pool	As Per Stage 1 Winter Hours: Mon-Sat 2-6pm, Sun 1-5pm Maximum 10 patrons at a time
Julia Creek Library	As Per Stage 1 Hours: 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday Maximum 10 patrons at a time, with each individual allowed a maximum of 30 minutes inside the premises 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	As Per Stage 2 Please ring Council on 07 4746 7166 for full details and requirements
McKinlay Shire Plagrounds & Parks	As Per Stage 1 Peter Dawes Park Lions Park McIntyre Park Kynuna Park Centenary Park McKinlay

Local Business:

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

School & Education:

Julia Creek State School is open for all students in Years 2 to 10, from 25 May. Social distancing and good hygiene is being practiced. For further information visit Education Queensland or Frequently Asked Questions.

Travel:

State and Federal directives are expected to be followed. - (see the latest details)

The Queensland Government is implementing enhanced border control measures, including border passes and identification screening. Full Details

REX are flying their normal 3 days a week for Julia Creek from, 4 May 2020.

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.

McKinlay Shire Landholders Employing Seasonal Workers

11 June - As most Queenslanders are aware, there was an agribusiness in Bundaberg that was impacted by a positive case of COVID-19. This could have been more devastating to this business if they had been fined, shut down for over a fortnight and required to have all workers tested. Instead, because they had followed the QLD Chief Health Officer directive and had lodged their Work Health and Safety Plan/Workplace Health Management Plan, it meant that they were operating again the next day, with no fines.

Don't subject yourself or your business to fines and shutdown. It is critical that all businesses have a WHS Plan for COVID-19 and if you have seasonal workers - it is mandatory that you have lodged this plan with the Department of Health.

To comply with work health and safety (WHS) legislation, all businesses in Queensland should have a WHS plan of some kind that outlines how they are managing COVID-19.
Businesses may already have a plan in place which has been consulted on and deals with COVID-19 risks.
If not, they may wish to use the WHS Plan template published on the Worksafe Queensland website for this purpose.
Businesses that fall under the Seasonal Workers Health Management Plans Direction are required to have a Health Management Plan (HMP). Where a business has a HMP in place, and all COVID-19 WHS management measures are covered in that plan, a business does not need to duplicate this information in a separate WHS plan.

Under the QLD Government health direction regarding agricuture businesses and their workers, changes have been made to continue enabling a seasonal workforce. For Western QLD, all mustering contractors as well as the grazing properties they work on, are required to submit a Workplace Health Managment Plan.

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