Joint Media Release with Member for Coffs Harbour

Today local Members of Parliament, health sector leaders and police are reminding residents of their moral and legal duty to treat the state’s frontline workers well.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said health workers are a lifeline for the community during the current coronavirus pandemic and their actions deserve our thanks, not abuse.

“Today I am joining Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, Mid North Coast Local Health District Chief Executive Stewart Dowrick and Coffs Clarence District Commander Superintendent Steve Clarke to thank all of our frontline staff who are helping to fight this deadly virus,” he said.

“We are grateful to our local doctors, nurses, paramedics, police and cleaners who have been doing a great job to assist our community during this challenging time.

“We are also disappointed however about reports of abuse being directed at health workers manning COVID-19 testing clinics and nurses walking the streets in personal protective equipment.

“Apart from it being socially unacceptable, in some circumstances it may be a criminal offence to intimidate or cause fear in someone by your actions under the New South Wales Crimes Act. I encourage everyone to do the right thing and be patient and thankful to our healthcare and frontline workers.”

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh encouraged residents to work together and be supportive of one another during this trying time.

“If we listen to health advice and remain courteous and calm, we will overcome this and life will return to normal,” Mr Singh said.

“Tough new isolation rules are now in place whereby any resident returning home from overseas will be quarantined in a hotel under guard for two weeks.

“We are doing all we can to stop the spread of COVID-19 and I implore residents to keep doing the right things, practice good hygiene, exercise social distancing and be kind to one another.
“Any intimidation or abuse of frontline health workers will not be tolerated.”

Mid North Coast Local Health District Chief Executive Stewart Dowrick said three COVID-19 assessment clinics had now been set up at health campuses in Coffs Harbour, Kempsey and Port Macquarie. North Coast Primary Health Network is also working with general practices in the community to seek expressions of interest to establish coronavirus respiratory clinics.

Across NSW, 108,239 people have been tested for COVID-19 and excluded.

“On the Mid North Coast (as at 8pm Wednesday 1 April 2020), there were 44 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 2,489 people have been tested and excluded,” Mr Dowrick said.

“I can understand why some people find it frustrating they cannot simply present at a clinic and be tested, but the eligibility criteria has been established for good reasons.”

You will only be tested for COVID-19 if you meet the following criteria:

• You have returned from overseas in the past 14 days and you develop respiratory illness with or without fever
• You have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the past 14 days and you develop a respiratory illness with or without fever
• You have severe community-acquired pneumonia and there is no clear cause
• You are a healthcare worker who works directly with patients and you have a respiratory illness and a fever.

More information is available by calling our local assessment clinic hotline on 1300 001 956.

For updated information about COVID-19, visit: health.nsw.gov.au or download the new Coronavirus Australia app from your app store.

ENDS

Media Contact:
Mr Conaghan – 0418 928 744
Mr Singh – 0402 900 113