The slight easing of some restrictions from Saturday, 2 May is a thank you to all Queenslanders for doing the right thing during the COVID-19 pandemic – so don’t slack off on hygiene and social distancing this weekend.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Jo Whitehead said while people had more options to leave the house this weekend, it was important not to be complacent.
“While it has been 15 days since the last diagnosed case in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday local authority areas, we still need to be very careful,” Ms Whitehead said.
“People are reminded to continue staying home and staying in their suburb as much as possible.
“However, from Saturday, 2 May, local residents will also be able to leave their homes with members of their household or one other person and travel within a 50km radius for recreation activities such as visiting a national park, having a picnic or shopping for non-essential goods such as clothes.”
When you’re not at home, make sure you continue to practice social distancing by keeping 1.5 metres between yourself and others and practice good hygiene. Washing your hands properly and often is the gold standard of health advice that can help prevent viruses from entering your body.
If an area you plan to visit is crowded when you get there and you can’t easily implement the 1.5 metre rule, you might consider another activity or location, or visiting at a less busy time.
A total of 2,049 tests for COVID-19 have been undertaken in Mackay HHS.
Queensland’s testing criteria has now been expanded so that anyone in the state who has a fever (or history of fever) or acute respiratory symptoms can get tested.
If you are unwell and you meet the above criteria, you should contact a doctor immediately. Your doctor will decide if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
The North Mackay Respiratory Clinic is also now open for people with mild/moderate symptoms of COVID-19 to be assessed and get clinical advice. But if you are feeling unwell please call your doctor first.
Ms Whitehead said 14 of the 15 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 in Mackay HHS had now recovered, with one person continuing to be cared for in the Virtual Ward and is recovering at home.
“We want everyone to continue playing their part to protect themselves and the more vulnerable in our community. Please continue to follow the recommended advice from us and our federal counterparts in regard to social distancing, public gatherings and general wellbeing,” Ms Whitehead said.
The most up-to-date reliable information is available on the Queensland Health website health.qld.gov.au/coronavirus.
