Information and advice about COVID-19

Information and advice about COVID-19

Symptoms can include fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue, and shortness of breath.If you are sick and think you have symptoms of COVID-19 seek medical attention. If you want to talk to someone about your symptoms first, call the Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice on 1800 020 080.

Penrith City Council COVID-19 update

Thursday 6 January 2022

As our community continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant increases in local active cases, Council would like to ask people to prepare for temporary service interruptions over the next few weeks.

A number of COVID-19 infections are impacting staff with shortages expected across our Customer Experience, Library, Children’s Services, Ripples, and Waste and Resource Recovery teams.

As a result of this and due to the nature of COVID-19 transmission, there may be periods where face-to-face services may be closed or cancelled at short or no notice. We will endeavour to keep the community informed about these through Council's Facebook social media page and on this website.

We pride ourselves on providing a high-quality service; however, it's imperative this be delivered in balance with the safety of our staff and the community. We're working hard to minimise the effect of this on customers and services but foresee that some impact may be inevitable.

We ask for your patience and understanding during this challenging time.

While some face-to-face services may be impacted, Council's online services portal remains operational and unaffected; it provides 24/7 online support for Council's services. We encourage customers to use this service where possible - visit my.penrith.city to find out more.

Alternatively, Council's Contact Centre is operational between 8:30 am and 4 pm Monday to Friday. Call 02 4732 7777 to speak to a Council officer.

Penrith City Council - Waste and Resource Recovery update

Friday 7 January 2022

This week is the final week of our extra bin collections over the festive season, where all three bins are collected from the kerbside each week on your regular collection day.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 affecting both contract and Council staff, waste services may be impacted, with bins potentially being emptied later in the day on the scheduled collection day, or in some circumstances the next day, even if that's a Saturday. Our contractor is working hard to minimise this impact. Please leave your bin/s out at the kerbside until they have been emptied.

The planned Christmas Tree Drop-off event on Saturday 8 January 2022 remains unaffected at this time.

If you have a waste request or would like to report a problem please visit The Waste Spot at penrith.city/thewastespot.

Penrith City Council - Library update

Friday 10 January - Sunday 30 January 2022

Penrith City Library will be operating under amended hours over the summer break.

From Monday 10 January – Sunday 30 January 2022, the Library's branches will operate under the following hours:

PENRITH LIBRARY - normal operating hours
• Monday to Thursday: 9am - 8pm
• Friday and Saturday: 9am - 5pm
• Sunday: 10am - 5pm

ST MARYS LIBRARY - temporarily reduced hours
• Monday to Saturday: 9am - 5pm
• Sunday: 10am - 5pm

ST CLAIR LIBRARY - temporarily closed
• Monday to Saturday: CLOSED
• Sunday: CLOSED

Our collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eResources continue to be available 24/7 for all current Library members. You can access this collection by downloading the free Penrith City Library app on your mobile device or visiting https://penrithcity.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRN/WPAC/HOME


COVID-19 Testing

It is important to maintain high testing rates to identify as many cases in the community as quickly as possible. Get tested if you have 

  • any COVID-19 symptoms, even if only mild 
  • visited a place or travelled on public transport at the same time as a confirmed COVID-19 case 
  • been at an interstate COVID-19 case location during a specific time period
  • been in contact with a person (including family, friends and people you live or work with) who
    • is confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 or
    • is a close contact of someone confirmed to be infected with COVID-19.

To find testing clinics go to https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics

COVID-19 Vaccination 

Find out how you get can vaccinated https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/getting-vaccinated-for-covid-19/vaccine-information-kiosks

COVID vaccination in NSW https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/covid-19-vaccination-nsw

COVID-19 updates in community languages 

Information is a vital tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and keeping our community safe.

Translated information about COVID-19 is available on the Department of Health Translated Resources page.

The SBS Coronavirus Portal also provides vital information and updates in 60 languages. If you think either of these fantastic resources could help your family, friends or a neighbour, please share these links https://www.health.gov.au/resources/translated and https://www.sbs.com.au/language/coronavirus

Community support services 

We know that COVID-19 is having a severe impact on many in our community. If your mental health is suffering, you’re struggling financially or are a victim of domestic or family violence, you can reach out for help.

There are a range of community organisations working to support our residents in all kinds of ways. There are also organisations that offer specific support to older residents and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Take a look at these to find the help you need.

And remember, if you are a victim of domestic and family violence you can leave your home to seek help, regardless of COVID-19 restrictions.

If you have any questions, would like more information on local services or need someone to talk to, please call Council on 4732 7777.

Connecting with your neighbours

You may be wondering how you can connect with your neighbours to offer help during the pandemic. Council’s Good Neighbour cards are the perfect way to check in with people in your street to see if they need help. Download a card from our website, print it out and pop it into your neighbour’s letterbox. To find out more go to https://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/community-library/community/good-neighbour-program

Connecting services to volunteers

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in different needs arising in the community and physical distancing restrictions have resulted in many volunteers being unable to help.

In response to these challenges, NSW Volunteering has launched a new portal to connect organisations and new volunteers.

Organisation needing volunteers can register and advertise for free and your advertisement will be published on both Seek Volunteer and NSW Volunteering’s websites.

For more information go to https://makeadifference.volunteering.nsw.gov.au/.

Social and Economic Impacts of COVID-19 report

The Social and Economic Impacts of COVID-19 report has been developed to support local services providers and others in responding to the increasing and emerging challenges of COVID-19 for our community. The report encapsulates key findings from surveys with residents, businesses and the community sector, as well as collating publicly available data. It also summarises some key learnings to guide our response moving forward.

As more information becomes available about the effects and implications of COVID-19 and the social and economic impacts continue to unfold, Council will develop a more comprehensive COVID-19 Snapshot.

Legal centre

Council understands the COVID-19 pandemic has had a impact on many people in our community. If you are in need of legal advice, help is at hand.

The Western Sydney Community Legal Centre is offering free legal assistance including:

  • Telephone legal advice services
  • Court Support at the Children’s Court of NSW at Parramatta and Surry Hills Courts
  • Home Building telephone advice services
  • Tenancy telephone advice services, and
  • Parramatta WDVCAS telephone support and referral services.

Get in touch on 0416 717 101 or 0410 727 292. To find out more go to https://www.wsclc.org.au 

Recreation

Exercising is included in the four essential reasons to leave home during lockdown, and walking and cycling are great family friendly ways to look after your physical and mental wellbeing. In Penrith, there are plenty of places where you can walk, cycle or be active while enjoying the beauty of our local area. Download the Penrith Hike, Bike and Fitness Trails Map to find out more. Please remember that inline with current COVID-19 restrictions, you cannot use outdoor fitness equipment. 

Penrith City Council will be turning on the lights at 12 parks and sports grounds across the City giving the community the chance to get outside and be active. Penrith City Council will be turning on the lights at 12 parks and sports grounds across the City giving the community the chance to get outside and be active. 

The lights will be on between 5 and 8pm each night (Monday to Friday) while community sport remains postponed due to the current COVID restrictions. Exercise with no more than 2 (unless members of the same household) with appropriate social distancing is permitted. It is important that all residents continue to observe the NSW Government’s orders.

Locations:

  • Jamison Park, South Penrith – netball courts only
  • Jordan Springs – netball and basketball court, and village oval sportsground
  • Hunter Fields, Emu Plains – netball courts and sportsground
  • Myrtle Road, Claremont Meadows – sportsgrounds
  • Ched Towns Reserve, Glenmore Park – sportsgrounds
  • Mark Leece Oval, St Clair – netball courts only
  • Mulgoa Park, Mulgoa – multi-sport court (Activation via push button under awning)
  • Londonderry Oval – sportsground and netball courts
  • Ridge Park, Colyton – sportsground
  • Patterson Oval, Cambridge Park – sportsground
  • Cook Park Cricket Oval, St Marys - Bill Ball Oval
  • Mulgoa Rise Oval, Glenmore Park - northern field only
  • Cook and Banks Oval, St Clair – Sportsground

Services 

Online Services are available to access 24/7. This allows residents to report problems and lodge requests online at a time that’s convenient to them. Our online services cover services such as bins and waste, parks, building and venues, roads and footpaths, trees and vegetation. Click here to access Online Services.

Council-operated Childcare Centres are open with COVID-19 safety measures in place. For further information on our Childcare Centres, visit our webpage.

Many of Council’s services are operating as normal but if you are unsure or would like further information, please contact Council via Online Services or call our Customer Experience team on: (02) 4732 7777.

Health information and advice 

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus. The virus is highly contagious, but good hygiene can prevent infection. Read more about the virus on the NSW Health website.

There are a number of ways you can help slow the spread of the virus in our community including practising good hygiene and social distancing.

Good hygiene practices can help prevent the spread of this virus in our community. Good hygiene includes:

  • covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
  • disposing of tissues properly
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • washing your hands often with soap and water
  • using alcohol-based hand sanitisers
  • cleaning and disinfecting surfaces regularly
  • if you are sick, avoiding contact with others and staying more than 1.5 metres away from people.

Read more about basic protective measures from the World Health Organization.

Another way to slow the spread of viruses is through social distancing. This means:

  • staying at home when you are unwell
  • avoiding large public gatherings if they’re not essential
  • keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people whenever possible
  • minimising physical contact (including shaking hands) especially with people at higher risk, such as older people and people with existing health conditions.

Symptoms can include fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue, and shortness of breath. If you are sick and think you have symptoms of COVID-19 seek medical attention. If you want to talk to someone about your symptoms first, call the Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice on 1800 020 080. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

If you develop symptoms within 14 days of last contact with a confirmed case or after returning to Australia from overseas, you should seek medical attention. Your doctor will tell you if you need to be tested. If you have a confirmed case, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days to prevent it spreading to other people.