Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba is annoyed about Shellharbour being included in the NSW Public Health Order for local government areas in lockdown and confusion caused about whether it was or not.
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Cr Saliba said she spent all of Saturday sitting on a computer trying to work out whether Shellharbour was in or out. She said it wasn't the first time there have been discrepancies between what the NSW Premier and health minister were saying and what NSW Health advised in its Public Health Order.
Cr Saliba said she had reports from Shellharbour residents all day on Saturday thinking they were not in a hot area but being refused entry to gyms and holiday accommodation in other regional parts of the state.
"It is not hard for the government to get this right," she said.
"It is a pretty simple thing. Areas are either in or out."
The Shellharbour Mayor does not think the city should be included because there are no active cases in the local government area.
"What is the reason for including Shellharbour? I can understand that if you live in Shellharbour and work in Wollongong you must follow the restrictions," she said.
"And if you live in Wollongong and work in Shellharbour you must follow the restrictions. But to put a blanket across us all!
"Why is Kiama not included. 60 per cent of Kiama's workforce works elsewhere."
Cr Saliba agreed everyone should wear a mask when they are in public places, maintain social distancing and don't go out unless it is necessary.
"But why lockdown Shellharbour when there is absolutely no reason to do that," she said.
"There are still people out there who will not know whether Shellharbour is in or out.
"I think the State Government have a lot to answer for in this case.
"It is ridiculous to put Shellharbour in a situation like this. I have never seen any evidence for why Shellharbour should have been included.
"I am concerned about the confusion and the angst this has caused in our community.
"There is no need to panic buy. You can still go to the shops with a mask on and get what you need. And only take what you need so everyone else can get what they need for their households."
Cr Saliba said it was important for everyone to stay vigilant and think of other people at this time.
"Please be careful. We are all responsible for stopping the spread of this virus," she said.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward said it was for NSW Health to determine what local government areas were included in the lockdown.
Read more:
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