Mask up if you’ve been in Greater Brisbane

Live in or visiting the Sunshine Coast and been in Greater Brisbane since 7am 2 January?

Remember to keep your face mask handy to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Sunshine Coast Council Acting Mayor Rick Baberowski said it was important anyone in the region who had been in Greater Brisbane* on or since 7am 2 January or who will visit Greater Brisbane up until 22 January, carry a face mask with them at all times.

“If this applies to you, masks are to be worn in all public indoor spaces**,” Cr Baberowski said.

“Queensland Health has also strongly recommended that you wear a face mask outdoors when you are unable to stay more than 1.5 metres from other people.

“This important measure aims to control the potential transmission of the highly contagious UK variant of COVID-19, which has been detected in Brisbane.

“We ask that everyone remains vigilant at all times to keep our whole community safe.

“This is why some people in our community will be wearing masks over the course of the next ten days and it is vitally important that we are respectful of their efforts to comply with what the Chief Health Officer is asking us to do.

“At the end of the day, those people who are wearing masks are doing their bit to reduce any risk of transmission - which is all about keeping our community safe.”

Children under 12 years and people affected by a medical condition or disability are exempt from wearing a mask.

Cr Baberowski also reminded the community to sign-in when visiting places like cafes and restaurants, and to provide accurate contact details.

“This is for your own benefit should a contact tracer ever need to get in touch,” he said.

“Please continue social distancing 1.5 metres, wash your hands and use hand sanitiser, stay at home if you are sick and get tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.”

Cr Baberowski encouraged residents to continue to show kindness and good will and look out for their neighbours.

“We must be mindful of each other’s wellbeing, especially those who are more vulnerable.

“Let’s continue to show our considerate Sunshine Coast community spirit and support each other.”

Sunshine Coast Council is continuing to regularly service public facilities to keep residents and visitors as safe as possible and the community is asked to practise good hyenine when using council facilities, including barbecues.

Customers who need to contact council are encouraged to do so via the phone or online if possible.

Customers can call our locally-based call centre on 5475 7272 or 1300 007 272 during business hours (8.15am – 5pm) Monday to Friday. After hours, our call centre takes emergency calls.

Online options for customers:

• MyCouncil is council’s online gateway and can be used to view rates notices, submit service requests and registrations. Sign up is free and easy.

• You can also log requests via council’s website.

• The LiveChat online facility operates during business hours. Chat is simple to use and great for those people who are time poor. You can access LiveChat by clicking on the "Chat to a Customer Service Officer now" bubble on the Contact Council page.

• Council operates a contemporary call back function for customers to use – free of charge. Simply enter your details and your call will be returned promptly. This service operates during business hours.

• For email lovers – email us at [email protected] and will we action your request.

If the above options cannot be accessed, customers can visit service counters at Nambour, Maroochydore or Caloundra. The counters operate Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm and to follow the COVID-19 measures.

BE COVID-19 ALERT

If you have any of the following COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, call your doctor or 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) and get tested:

• fever

• cough

• sore throat

• shortness of breath

• runny nose

• fatigue

• loss of smell and/or taste.

Call emergency services on Triple Zero (000) if you are very sick.

COVID-19 Fever Clinics nearby

• Caloundra Health Service

• Nambour General Hospital

• P2 car park, Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital

• Gympie Hospital

Visit Queensland Health’s website for the full list of testing centres near you and for further information.

*The Greater Brisbane area includes the local government areas of Brisbane City, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands and Logan.

**Details of public indoor spaces where mask wearing is being requested can be found on Queensland Health’s website.