MEMO TO THE REST OF AUSTRALIA: Give us an even chance here in Northern NSW - stay away until the COVID-19 public health orders are officially lifted

Northern NSW Local Health District, 7 April 2020:

If there’s one thing that you can do these school holidays to help our communities minimise their risk to COVID-19, it’s to stay at home. 

Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive, Wayne Jones, is urging people who would have ordinarily been travelling to beautiful Northern NSW over the holidays to reconsider their plans, and steer clear. 

“For every person who doesn’t come to our region, it makes it easier for us to manage our own physical distancing needs here in Northern NSW,” Mr Jones said. 

“If travellers stay away, it means there is less chance of new cases being brought into our region. 

“Whether you were planning to holiday in a house, an apartment, a resort or in the bush, please cancel your plans and stay at home. 

The warnings from Police are very clear, a holiday is not a reasonable excuse to travel these holidays. 

“We understand that these measures are negatively impacting our travel and hospitality sectors, but the quicker we can contain any community transmission, the more likely it is that we’ll be able to start our recovery process sooner,” Mr Jones said. 

“We want our region to be accessible for everyone again soon, but right now we need a break. 

“Our hospitals and our staff will be here for those who need us; please don’t make it more difficult for them. 

“Please keep your distance, so that we can, too. It’s that simple.”

Clarence Valley Council has put campers on notice, with rangers set to step up day and night patrols in coastal areas in order to reduce the number of people illegally camping in car parks and secluded spots in the Clarence Valley

The Daily Examiner, 7 April 2020, p.7:

Clarence Valley Council has put campers on notice, with rangers set to step up day and night patrols in coastal areas in order to reduce the number of people illegally camping in car parks and secluded spots in the Clarence Valley. 

With the Easter long weekend fast approaching, the council’s director of environment, planning and community Des Schroder said with the coronavirus pandemic continuing there should not be anyone from outside the region travelling for a holiday in the Clarence. 

“NSW Government health directives are clear. Travelling up and down the coast for ­leisure purposes is not ­classified as essential travel,” he said. “We understand there are some people with no permanent address; in those very specific cases they should locate to one of our caravan parks that are open for essential travellers only and follow social distancing advice. They should remain in those locations until the NSW Health orders are lifted. 

“Our rangers will also be keeping an eye on people not following the health directives and will be reporting them to the police if required. 

“The only reason people should be at the beach is to exercise. Once you complete your exercise you should return home immediately.” 

People using beaches for exercise are reminded to:
• Keep at least 1.5 metres away from other people 
• Remember that these measures also include in-water activities (surfing and swimming) 
• Limit gatherings to no more than two people (unless from the same house-hold).....

NSW Police launch a criminal investigation into the "Ruby Princess" COVID-19 disembarkation incident

NSW Police Public Site - News, 5 April 2020:

Police investigation launched into actions surrounding Ruby Princess
Sunday, 05 April 2020 05:42:00 PM 

The NSW Police Force has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the docking and disembarking of the Ruby Princess last month. 

After being tasked by the NSW Premier to conduct initial investigations, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller today (Sunday 5 April 2020) announced that a criminal investigation is now underway to fully examine the communications, actions, and other circumstances that led to the docking and disembarking of the vessel at Sydney Harbour on Thursday 19 March 2020. 

The investigation is being led by the Homicide Squad’s Detective Chief Inspector Jason Dickinson, who is experienced in complex and protracted investigations, with oversight from the NSW Coroner. 

It is expected the investigation will involve interviewing thousands of witnesses, including the Ruby Princess’ captain and doctors, the crew and passengers; and staff from various Commonwealth and NSW Government offices and agencies. 

Commissioner Fuller said his initial assessment of the vessel’s pratique left questions about the transparency in conceptualising the health conditions of passengers and crew in relation to COVID-19. 

“I’ve examined a number of phone calls between NSW Ambulance, Port Authority of NSW and NSW Police that stemmed from the initial 17-minute Triple Zero call from the ship to NSW Ambulance on 18 March,” the Commissioner said. 

“There appears to have been an exceptional amount of effort put in by Ports to determine the true nature of the conditions on board – and even delayed the vessels arrival until they were provided additional information. 

“After reviewing the information at hand, the only way I can determine whether our national biosecurity laws or our state laws were broken is through a criminal investigation.” 

The Commissioner added that investigators will examine the actions of everyone involved – whether from the cruise company or government agencies. 

“This is a complex issue and we will need information from many witnesses to answer all the questions about how this ship ended up docking last month,” the Commissioner said. 

“We are mindful that some of the key information we need will also come from passengers, so I urge those who were on-board to reach out to us – please contact Crime Stoppers as soon as possible.” 

Anyone who was on-board the Ruby Princess and has information relevant to the investigation, including details of symptoms, illness, or medical advice during the journey is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. 

Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages. 

Aspen Medical are continuing to assess the health of the crew on board the Ruby Princess and have developed a plan in conjunction with NSW Health, the NSW Police Force’s Marine Area Command, and Australian Border Force to manage their welfare until they can depart Australian waters.

Police have been advised that up to 200 of the 1040 crew members currently on board the vessel are displaying symptoms, while 16 crew members are confirmed to have returned positive results for COVID-19.

The cruise ship "Ruby Princess" is currently in Port Kembla harbour, having arrived there on the morning of 6 April 2020.

It is believed the vessel is in port to allow medical access to ill crew members and may remain in place for up to 10 days. However, the crew will not disembark unless in an emergency and approved by the NSW Police Commissioner. She will also be refuelling and restocking provisions, as required for her home journey.

The Berejiklian Government needs to close the NSW-Queensland border to non-essential travellers today

This antisocial behaviour within the 4WD community is beneath contempt during a pandemic.

I understand that NSW Police and Ballina Council rangers had a busy afternoon.

The Northern Star, 6 April 2020, p.3:

Lennox residents are up in arms about around 50 4WDs parked on the beach at Lennox Head.

According to Cr Keith Williams, locals have identified these as mostly Queensland-plated vehicles. 

“I’ve received about 20-30 emails this morning (Sunday) from concerned residents,” said Cr Williams. 

“With Easter just around the corner, people are really fearful that large numbers of day-trippers from Queensland are going to be heading down for the long weekend. 

“It significantly increases the risk for our community if people are continuing to go in and out.” 

“If this starts bringing cases into our area, we’ve also got to worry about how our hospital systems will cope.” 

Cr Williams also said that locals are concerned that this may lead to the whole beach being closed off to public access, which will stop residents from being able to enjoy the beach for their daily exercise. 

The school holidays have begun in Queensland, and travel restrictions are in place for non-Queensland residents wanting to cross into the Sunshine State amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

While the NSW border is open to Queenslanders, the Federal Government advice is that Australians must “avoid all non-essential domestic travel”.

“Social distancing is slowing the spread of coronavirus and it’s important that this continue at Easter,” the Federal Department of Health’s website says.“Australians should stay at home this Easter and not undertake holiday travel.”

Meanwhile elsewhere police were also busy......

NSW Police Public Site - News, 5 April 2020:

A total of 18 new Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) have been issued in relation to alleged breaches of the Public Health Act: 

 - About 2.30pm on Friday 3 April 2020, officers from Murrumbidgee Police District were called to Benerembah Lane, Griffith, following reports of an intoxicated person. A 55-year-old man was spoken to and moved on from the area. At 4pm the same day, officers returned after the man was seen again in that location and could not provide a legitimate reason for being there. Police were also made aware that he had been warned to obey social distancing regulations on Tuesday 31 March 2020. The man was issued a penalty infringement notice (PIN). 

 - About 5pm Friday 3 April 2020, police attached to New England Police District attended a licensed premise in Tenterfield Street, Deepwater. They spoke to a 27-year-old man, who was sitting with a group of patrons drinking. He was issued with a PIN as he had been spoken to by police the previous day about social-distancing and issued with a warning. 

 - A 37-year-old Newtown man has been issued with a PIN after officers from Inner West PAC spoke with him twice on Friday night about breaching the Public Health Act. Police spoke with the man on Federation Road about 8.30pm on Friday 3 April 2020, where he was warned about associating with four other adults. About two hours later, the same man was stopped on King Street, Newtown, and was then issued with a PIN. 

 - About 8.30pm Friday 3 April 2020, officers from Bankstown Police Area Command noticed a car double parked in Restwell Street, Bankstown. Officers pulled over the car and spoke to the 20-year-old female driver and her 21-year-old female passenger. The pair were unable to provide a valid reason for driving around. The passenger provided incorrect identification information to the police and become argumentative. She was issued with a PIN. The driver was issued with an official move on direction. 

 - Just after 10.30pm on Friday 3 April 2020, officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command were patrolling San Cristobal Drive, Green Valley, when they saw three men – one aged 36 and two 18-year-olds – not obeying social distancing regulations. The men were spoken to and could not provide a legitimate reason for being there. Two of the men had allegedly exited a vehicle believed to have been stolen. All three were issued PINs. Investigations regarding the vehicle are continuing. 

 - At 1.15am Saturday 4 April 2020, officers from Bankstown Police Area Command pulled over a car after it had allegedly accelerated away after seeing police on Edgar Street, Bankstown. The 30-year-old driver was spoken to by police about his reason for driving. He was unable to provide a valid reason and changed his version several times and continued to be argumentative with police. He was issued with a PIN. 

 - A passenger in a car being driven by a food delivery driver has been issued with a PIN by officers from Quakers Hill Police Area Command. Police stopped the vehicle about midday yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020) and spoke with two people in the car. The driver was employed delivering food; however, police allege the 33-year-old woman from Toongabbie, who was the front-seat passenger, was only there because she said she was bored being at home. 

 - A 38-year-old woman has been issued with a PIN after she was found drinking with six people in Jonson Street, Byron Bay, just before 6pm yesterday, in breach of the Public Health Act. Officers from Tweed/Byron Police District had issued a warning to the woman earlier in the day. 

 - Police investigating an alleged assault at a home in Goulburn last night have issued two men with PINs for breaching the Public Health Act. Officers from The Hume Police District were called to the home in Teece Place about 9.20pm (Saturday 4 April 2020), after a 34-year-old man sustained a cut above his eye. He was treated at Goulburn Hospital and released. Police later issued him and his 24-year-old friend with a PIN; inquiries are continuing into the alleged assault. 

 - A man has been issued with a PIN after being stopped at the Sydney Opera House about 10.15pm yesterday. Officers from Sydney City PAC had already issued the man last Wednesday (1 April 2020), with a warning about breaching the Public Health Act.

 - Two people were given PINs and three people received cautions after gathering for a barbeque in the state’s north. Yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020), about 11pm, officers attached to New England Police District responded to a noise complaint at a caravan park on Rouse Street, Tenterfield. Five people were in the bungalow; breaching ministerial orders related to the congregation of more than two people. A 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were identified as people who had previously received cautions for not complying with ministerial directions and were fined $1000. The three others were issued with cautions. 

 - Just after midnight (Sunday 5 April 2020), officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command attended the Lilli Pilli Baths, in Lilli Pilli, following reports of a gathering of people not adhering to social distancing regulations. Police attended and spoke with four men – aged 22, 24, 19 and 19 – who were drinking and having a barbeque. Officers reminded them of their requirements under the Public Health Act and asked them to move on; however, the men became argumentative and refused to leave. All three men were issued infringement notices.

Two posts featuring Scott Morrison disappeared from Bible Society Australia & Vision Christian Radio websites in March 2020

A similar article to the below one quietly disappeared from a Bible Society Australia website, Eternity News, along with a video.

Vision Christian Radio:

PM Joins COVID-19 Prayer Effort
Tuesday, March 31st, 2020

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has joined Christian leaders and believers online to pray for Australia as we battle the COVID-19 outbreak.

The prayer session was coordinated by the Australian Prayer Network, the Canberra Declaration and Pastor Margaret Court.

The Toowoomba Regional Prayer Network reports, the Prime Minister prayed through two Scriptures: Psalm 34:17-19 and Isaiah 58:11-12.

The first Scripture speaks of the Lord hearing the cry of the righteous and delivering them from trouble and the second tells of the Lord’s guidance and restoration from the ruins.

More than 600 people took part in the national Zoom call over a period of 25 hours with Pastor Margaret Court overseeing the final hour of prayer.

The Prime Minister’s participation was reported by Molly Joshi, national representative of the Toowoomba Regional Prayer Network.

She says it was the church at its finest, ministering together without walls.

Photo credit: Kristy Robinson / Commonwealth of Australia [CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)]

This article has also disappeared from view.


The reason these articles and a video were removed?  Perhaps Morrison decided his prayer had only been meant to be heard by the 600 people taking part in that prayer session or he may have thought his Christian prayer might not be well received by every voter who heard it.

However, little actually disappears completely from the Internet and this YouTube video of the prayer session was posted by Queensland Parents For Secular State Schools on 31 March 2020.



https://youtu.be/khANQLVfttc

Morrison begins to quote the bible at 2:45 minutes and offers his personal prayer at 3:40 minutes.

The times are not kind to the elderly living alone

The Daily Examiner, 3 April 2020:

Elderly Clarence residents without internet access and mobile phones have been left to fend for themselves, one Coutts Crossing resident claims.

“Lola”, 64, says elderly people have been forgotten as the community sets up systems to navigate enforced coronavirus disruptions.

Without internet or a mobile phone, Lola has found it difficult to access many services set up to help during the crisis.

A telling encounter was a call to a major supermarket to find out options for setting up a home delivery service.

“I don’t want to go shopping for food,” she said.

“I have medical reasons and they’re asking us to self-isolate.” Lola called the company’s helpline but found it less than helpful. “They put me on hold for so long the battery in my landline handset went flat,” she said.

“When it recharged I rang again and eventually I got a recorded message to email my request to the company.” Lola said she did not have family or friends in the region and had found going shopping a nightmare.

“There’s nothing on the shelves,” she said.....

“Last time I went shopping in Grafton I had to go to four different supermarkets and I still couldn’t find everything I needed.” The rules designed to discourage hoarders had not helped.

“I want to buy enough so I don’t have to go shopping again for at least two weeks,” she said.

“The two-pack limit is no help to me at all.” She has been less than impressed with other shoppers, who appear to pay no attention to social distancing rules.....

Even for the elderly with Internet connections life is increasingly difficult.

Coles does not home deliver to anyone except those already registered with NDIS, Red Kite or My Aged Care - in other words predominately people who already have home care packages or other forms of assistance.

Woolies doesn't deliver to the Lower Clarence but will supply by Australia Post an $80 basics box of mainly low nutrition/ high sugar & salt canned and packaged food of its own non-negotable choice and again, people have to already be registered with the same three agencies. Although proof of eligibility may be widening so it might be wise to contact customer service to check.

The changing face of livestock sales in the NSW Northern River region

The Daily Examiner, 3 April 2020:

For the first time, online bidding of cattle took place at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange this week.

Using StockLive, buyers could bid for weaners through the online portal in the comfort of their own home. The timing couldn’t be better.

NRLX operations manager Brad Willis confirmed livestock sales would continue at the Casino saleyards with only essential staff, agents and registered buyers permitted on-site.

He said he was actively working to ensure the continuity of business while taking into account the public health consequences of the COVID-19 situation.

Victoria has cancelled live cattle sales but NRLX has no plan to follow suit. Mr Willis said it would stay open as long as it complied with the rules.

“The NRLX is a vital cog in the food supply chain and we need everyone’s co-operation to ensure the facility can operate for as long as possible,” Mr Willis said.

“If everyone uses common sense, we’ll get through.”There were 258 viewers and 27 registered buyers online for the sale.

ABC News, 2 April 2020:

The Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange has reported its highest sale week in its history, with nearly $8.29 million in sales generated at the saleyards in Casino last week.

A total of 7,784 head of cattle were sold across three days of operations — the prime sale and the annual weaner sales — up from around 3,000 head last year totalling just under $3 million in sales for the same week.

The prolonged drought resulted in the tough market last year, but this year coronavirus delivered a different challenge with NRLX using StockLive to host an online auction for the first time since its $14 million upgrade.

State of Play COVID-19: NSW Northern Rivers Region by 3 April 2020

A visual reckoning......

Physical area the first two graphs cover.....

Can't really understand why you should stay home now that COVID-19 is in the Northern Rivers region? Look at this graph

This graph shows all confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Northern NSW Local Health District from 16 March to 2 April 2020.

As of 1 April 2020 these cases were distributed across 5 of the 7 local government areas in the Northern Rivers region:
Kyogle 0 cases
Richmond Valley 0 cases
Ballina 4 cases 
Lismore 5 cases
Clarence Valley 8 cases
Tweed 12 cases
Byron Bay 13 cases.

One Northern NSW perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic as it is unfolding in Australia

The Echo is one of only a very few independent online & print newspapers left in north-eastern New South Wales which has a genuine 'opinion' writer.

Here is Mungo MacCallam writing five days ago.......

Echo Net Daily, 30 March 2020:

Thus Spake Mungo: Isolation days

Last week I could have my hair styled, but I couldn’t get a kidney transplant. I could take my kids to school, but not to church. I could invite nine mates to a funeral, but only four to a wedding. I could attend a bootcamp, but I could not meet my friends in a park. I was told to vote in local elections if I lived in Queensland, but not in New South Wales.

Well, actually, I couldn’t do any of the above even if I wanted to – I am in isolation. But I am not considered ill and I will not be tested. Indeed, I can order cocktails delivered to my door.

And I am expected to work. All workers are essential – until they are not, until Scott Morrison bans or restricts some occupations and the previously essential workers are sent off to join the queues at Centrelink, where they will maintain social distance – or not.

It was beyond confusion, beyond parody. And when journalists tried to make sense of the chaos, a snarly Morrison slapped them down; any attempt at interrogation of government edicts was not helpful, verging on unpatriotic, even unAustralian. Shut up and do what you’re told.

In his so-called National Cabinet, Morrison bullied the state premiers to yet again postpone the inevitable

Clearly this situation could not go on, but it did. In his so-called National Cabinet, Morrison bullied the state premiers to yet again postpone the inevitable.

Well before the end of the week it was clear that the federal government was reluctantly moving to impose a near total lockdown of the kind already in place in many other countries. The premiers may have disagreed about the urgency, but all accepted it was going to happen. So did business: any resistance was minimal, the real debate was about who would be compensated, and by how much.

The National Cabinet was supposed to produce national policy, but Morrison is now extolling the idea that state differences are actually a good thing

And the premiers of the biggest states, Liberal Gladys Berejiklian, in New South Wales, and Daniel Andrews, in Victoria, have made it clear that they are preparing to move soon, even if Morrison will not. The National Cabinet was supposed to produce national policy, but Morrison is now extolling the idea that state differences are actually a good thing. Talk about making a virtue out of necessity.

The schools were spending more effort on home learning than supervising their dwindling numbers in the classrooms; few believed that schools would reopen after the impending holidays. The overall mood was that something close to total lockdown was only a matter of time, so we might as well get on with it.

But Morrison was determined to string out the phoney war for as long as possible, perhaps because he was all too aware that the cost of a lockdown will be horrendous, in economic, social and crucially, political terms.

Unemployment will soar, certainly to over ten per cent, with some estimates reaching 15 per cent – which means two million Australians out of work. This is not just a recession – it is getting into serious depression territory, and it will not be over in six months, as Morrison previously optimistically predicted.

The cost to Treasury will be enormous in lost tax revenue, and increased welfare payments, even without the third and subsequent stimulus packages that will be required

The cost to Treasury will be enormous in lost tax revenue, and increased welfare payments, even without the third and subsequent stimulus packages that will be required. There will be no talk of surpluses in the foreseeable future. But there is no real choice – in spite of Morrison’s insistence that we must act to protect both health and the economy – lockdown is the only serious idea on the table if we are to save hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives.

And the economic and emotional pain will be immense and long-lasting. Very little of this will be Morrison’s fault; the worst he can validly be accused of is procrastination and dithering, and given that those have characterised his entire time as prime minister, the electorate can hardly claim to be shocked.

But his will be the hand that signs the paper that authorises the lockdown, and the misery to follow. He is the officer on watch, and a lot of voters will not forgive him; they will remember the leader’s burden – that the buck stops here. Morrison will be remembered as the prime minster who dumped them in the mire, just as the equally innocent Jimmy Scullin was remembered in the Great Depression.

ScoMo’s legacy will be far darker than that of Kevin Rudd, who blew the budget to manage the Global Financial Crisis, or Paul Keating, who oversaw the recession we had to have. In time, Morrison may be condoned – he may even win another election, like Keating did in 1993, with the aid of John Hewson’s GST. But he will not be forgotten, and it will not be the epitaph he craves.

So, is he preparing to spread the blame? For no apparent reason he has convened what he calls the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission, to solve problems

So, is he preparing to spread the blame? For no apparent reason he has convened what he calls the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission, to solve problems. It was picked by him alone, mainly consisting of business cronies, with a couple of supportive bureaucrats, none of whom have any known expertise in managing a pandemic. Ironically, the only one who might have relevant experience is the token lefty, Greg Combet, who was a minister during Rudd’s bailout in the GFC. But he will be hopelessly outnumbered by the corporate free-enterprise number crunchers.

And the greatest irony of all is that the people elected to do the job – the members of the federal parliament – have been sidelined for the duration. Barbers are considered essential, but the MPs are considered redundant in a way that they have never been, not during wars, depressions or previous pandemics.

Naturally there is resistance, and not just from the Labor Party and its allies. And no reasonable justification for the extraordinary move has been advanced – other parliaments continue to sit around the nation, and indeed around the world.

There should be outrage – a demand that our representatives are brought back to do their job!

But there should be outrage – a demand that our representatives are brought back to do their job! Unfortunately, a shell-shocked, confused and frightened populace seems to be copping it as part of the ongoing madness, as they are assured by the partisan commentariat that Morrison knows what he is doing – and that unity is vital, we must all stick together, and we should be ready to accept sacrifices in the name of – well, what?

Morrison tells us that our health, our immediate physical survival, is not the overwhelming priority; preserving the economy is at least equally important. So just like some businesses, democracy must be placed in hibernation for the duration. And preserving his political dominance might also have something to do with it. Whatever it takes.

Clarence Valley asks day trippers and holiday makers to kindly stay away during 2020 COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 infection has already arrived in the Clarence Valley and now the first case of local transmission has been reported.

Despite this, holiday destinations - particularly on the Clarence Coast - are still seeing day trippers and holiday makers arriving in the valley.

The Daily Examiner, 31 March 2020:

....Last week Clarence Valley Council closed one caravan park and slapped restrictions on four others in an attempt to stop “unnecessary travel” in the area and general manager Ashley Lindsay has told people to stay away.

“We really wish this was the time for holiday-makers in our communities, but unfortunately it is not,” Mr Lindsay said. “We really want you to stay home this year.” 

Council is also asking local real estate agents and Airbnb operators managing holiday rentals to “do the right thing” by discouraging unnecessary domestic travel into the Clarence. 

It is an issue keenly felt in the coastal towns of the Lower Clarence as residents report a steady number of tourists still heading to beaches and towns on the weekends. 

Angourie resident Eden Hage was so concerned he was planning on putting up signs warning people of the dangers of travelling during the current crisis. But someone beat him to it, erecting a sign at Angourie Point – telling people to stay away. 

“People aren’t happy,” he said. Just about everyone I spoke to was flabbergasted at the amount of tourists still coming. 

“It is pretty concerning, especially for the elderly around here and the people that have health issues already. “It is just ignorant and arrogant that people are not taking this seriously.” 

Mr Hage was pleased council had closed or restricted the caravan parks, but he wanted other accommodation businesses to follow their lead to stop the flow of tourists ignoring government advice. 

At the time of print there were more than 150 accommodation listings across the Clarence on Airbnb alone and Mr Hage said it had to stop, either voluntarily or via stricter government measures. 

“It seems ridiculous some people’s incomes are stopping but there are still advertisements for holiday letting,” Mr Hage said. 

“It is just a total disregard and is putting a lot of vulnerable people at risk. 
“The message from the Prime Minister is not getting through. “We need leadership on this because there is a risk of people losing their lives.” The issue has been brought to light across the county in recent weeks as a number of coastal and rural areas receive a number of non-residents opting to wait out the pandemic in more remote locations. 

Airbnb has offered full refunds to those who booked accommodation before March 14 with a check-in date between March 14 to April 14. 

Hosts can also cancel without charge or impact to their superhost status.....

Clarence Valley COVID-19 cases gradually growing

Northern NSW Local Area Health District, COVID-19 UPDATE: 31 March 2020:

As at 8pm Monday 30 March there was 1 new confirmed case of COVID-19 in residents of the Northern NSW Local Health District.

This brings the District’s total to 38. 

By likely source of infection:

Source
Overseas acquired	30
Contact of a confirmed case or a known cluster	3
Contact not identified	2
Under investigation	3
Total	38

Northern NSW Local Area Health District, COVID-19 UPDATE: 30 March 2020:

As at 8pm Sunday 29 March there were 4 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in residents of the Northern NSW Local Health District.

This brings the District’s total to 37.

By likely source of infection:

Source

Overseas acquired	30
Contact of a confirmed case or a known cluster	3
Contact not identified	2
Under investigation	2
Total	37

Of the NNSWLHD cases, currently 4 COVID-19 patients are being cared for in hospitals, 1 of these is in ICU elsewhere in NSW. 4 people are considered to have recovered.

The Public Health Unit is following up close contacts of cases who are located within NNSWLHD, who are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with the confirmed case.

They will be contacted daily to check that they are well and anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the virus.

If you are considered a close contact of a confirmed case, a Health officer will contact you directly.

The Daily Examiner, 30 March 2020, p. 1:

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections in the Clarence Valley has jumped in the past few days, with NSW Health updating its official figures.

The Clarence was listed as having seven positive Covid-19 tests as of 8pm Saturday, a jump from the 1-4 infections that had been reported since NSW Health began breaking down figures into local government areas last week.

It came as the numbers across the Northern NSW health district showed a big ­increase, with the total of ­confirmed cases rising to 33 at 8pm Saturday, up from 25 a day earlier.

In our neighbouring councils, it is reported that both the Ballina and Lismore council areas each have 1-4 cases, Byron have five, Coffs Harbour 7, Tweeds Head 12, while Richmond Valley and Kyogle have no confirmed cases.

The Public Health Unit is following up close contacts of cases who are located within NNSWLHD, who are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with the confirmed case.....