Great news over the weekend, with restrictions being eased to coincide with the warmer days and rapidly rising vaccination rates.
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Burrendong Dam and Cudgegong Waters both reopened to the Dubbo Regional local government area over the weekend for the purposes of exercise and recreation (including boating). Mookerawa Waters has also opened its gates. Check the COVID-safe measures in place: https://reflectionsholidayparks.com.au/travel-information/
NSW Health has also announced that outdoor public swimming pools can reopen from Monday, September 27, with strict COVID-safe protocols in place. Not all councils will reopen their pools, but for those that do, this will be a great opportunity for us to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors - all in a COVID-safe way.
We know the risk of spreading or contracting COVID is reduced when people are physically-distanced outdoors, so this easing of restrictions is a great thing for everyone's physical and mental health. However, we still need to be vigilant and continue with all of our COVID-safe practices, including:
- physical distancing/ minimising our contact with people we don't live with
- wearing masks
- washing our hands
- getting tested and staying home if we have any symptoms
TESTING
I know that having to self-isolate while waiting for a COVID-19 test result has impacted a lot of people, particularly those who can't work from home and may not have leave entitlements. So, it was great to see surveillance testing introduced for Trangie, Mudgee and Dubbo last week, and it's expanding across the region.
Surveillance testing means that you don't have to isolate while waiting for your test results, UNLESS:
- you or someone you live with has symptoms or you have been directed to isolate by NSW Health.
- you have been to a venue of concern.
- someone in your household is a close contact of a confirmed COVID case.
This is a great initiative, which will hopefully give health authorities a better sense of how many COVID cases are in the community, and reduce the spread by identifying more asymptomatic cases.
NOMINATE NOW
Nominations are now open for the NSW Blue Plaques Program. I'm asking everyone in the Dubbo electorate to think of places in our communities that have an important story attached to them, and submit those suggestions to my office for consideration.
There are many hidden gems in our region with stories that deserve to be told. It could be a much-loved historic building, or a place linked to a local hero, or moment in history. Learn more at https://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/celebrate/love-your-local-heritage/blue-plaques-nsw/ and send suggestions to dubbo@parliament.nsw.gov.au
For regular updates follow me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DugaldSaundersMP/) or visit https://dugaldsaunders.com.au/
