Queensland Health has reported that there have been 37 total confirmed cases to date in our health area*. (updated June 10).

Information on the current coronavirus status is provided by State and Federal health authorities.

• Queensland cases
• Australian cases

Local information is also available on here.

*Information for the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service area, which includes Douglas Shire, Cairns, the Tablelands, Tully, Chillagoe, Georgetown and Croydon.

Douglas Shire Council will provide immediate relief to ratepayers by freezing interest on rates and working on further relief packages after the 2020 Local Government Elections.

What does this mean? No further interest will accrue on any rates and water account balances within assessments until further notice.

Please call 4099 9444 to speak to our friendly staff about your individual circumstances.

Douglas Shire Council will lift visitor travel restrictions on Saturday, May 16.

Council will also waive the usual ferry fees until June 30 and multi-day passes that were due to expire have been extended to December 31 this year.

Council is also supporting tourism by providing free ferry travel for commercial tour operators. Read more information here.

National Cabinet

Australian governments are taking a measured approach. The Federal Government’s three-step plan provides a pathway for jurisdictions to move towards COVID safe communities in a way that best suits their individual circumstances. Read more here.

Queensland Government

The Queensland Government’s health response to COVID-19 means we’re well positioned for recovery. The Queensland’s Roadmap to Easing COVID-19 restrictions outlines a staged approach to giving Queenslanders more freedom to travel, participate in more activities and hold more gatherings. Read more here.

Local tradies and suppliers are encouraged to register online to receive updates about upcoming projects and business opportunities with Douglas Shire Council. More information here.

A buy local campaign called Buy Douglas: Build Douglas is encouraging people to spend their money in Douglas Shire and build the economy in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Economic Recovery Group, which features Douglas Shire Council, Douglas Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) and Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation, has today launched the campaign to get everyone to ‘Do It In Douglas’.

Visit the campaign website here.

TPDD will be sending out member updates to share information and support mechanisms that are being developed by agencies across Australia to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 20th March 2020
• 23rd March 2020
• 24th March 2020
• 26th March 2020
• 29th March 2020
• 1st April 2020 – Marketing Tips

Douglas Chamber of Commerce will be updating their website with helpful information and support available for small businesses.

Restrictions on Business, Activity and Undertaking Direction

• Details about the current Public Health Direction is available at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/business-activity-undertaking-direction2
• Further clarification of the Direction is available at https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/business-activity

STAGE 2

In order to operate a during STAGE 2 of the easing of restrictions, your food business MUST have:

1. WHS Plan

All business in Queensland have obligations and responsibilities under Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) legislation including:

• An already existing Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) Plan;
• A new section outlining how you will be managing COVID-19 in your workplace; and
• Your WHS Plan must be on display at all times.

Your WHS Plan is an internal document so does not need to be submitted for approval.

For more information please see Worksafe QLD – Keeping your workplace safe, clean and healthy during COVID-19

2. COVID SAFE Checklist

This is mandatory for high risk industries and businesses that wish to re-open previously restricted activities.  Businesses wishing to continue with takeaway and home delivery services only are not required to complete a COVID SAFE Checklist.  Some important things to remember with your COVID-19 Checklist:

• You are required to complete and display COVID Safe checklist before trading under Stage 2 of the easing of restrictions.
• These checklists tell you what you need to do if you are a business operating in Stage 1 or Stage 2 to be COVID Safe. The checklists include input resulting from consultation with key industry stakeholders.
• You MUST complete the Checklist to ensure you comply with essential health requirements to enable you to open and provide a safe environment for your customers and your staff.
• You MUST sign and display the checklist in a prominent, visible location at your business premises.
• The checklist is not required to be submitted for approval to any authority

A template of the checklist is available at COVID SAFE Checklist – Restaurants & Cafes

3. Mandatory COVID SAFE training

All staff must complete the training within 2 weeks of re-opening (all new staff must complete the training prior to commencement of work)

COVID SAFE training programs are now available and can be accessed online through TAFE Queensland or from an approved industry organisation:

• TAFE Queensland COVID SAFE training – https://tafeqld.edu.au/covid-safe
• A list of approved industry courses is being developed and will be available at https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/covid-safe-businesses.  For example, the website includes a course developed for dining services by Restaurant and Catering Australia.

4. Approved Industry COVID SAFE Plan (only for businesses wanting to accommodate more than 20 customers)

For those businesses wishing to accommodate more than 20 patrons under Stage 2 easing of restrictions, the approved Industry COVID Safe plans are now available at:

https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/approved-industry-covid-safe-plans.

Please carefully read the Plan relevant to your business and ensure you are able to comply with all the requirements of the Plan and the Restrictions on Business, Activity and Undertaking Direction

5. Record Keeping (not applicable for customers ordering take-away or home delivery)

The business must keep contact information about all customers and staff for contact tracing purposes for a period of 56 days, unless otherwise specified. This information must include:

• Name;
• Address;
• Mobile phone number; and
• Date/time period of patronage.

If requested, this information must be provided to public health officers. The information should be securely stored, not used for any other purpose and deleted after 56 days.

 Social distancing measures for all food businesses (including take-away and delivery service only)

• All businesses must maintain a rule of one person per 4 square metres of floor space accessible to the public.  This may limit the number of patrons you can accommodate on your premises.
• For dining in or seated drinks at restaurants, cafes and pubs, there needs to be enough space within the areas that are open to the public (for example, the dining area, but not the kitchen) for one patron per 4 square metres.

Example: A café with an internal floor space for customers of 20 square metres that is open to the public could accommodate a total of 5 patrons.

• Physical distancing rules still apply.  So, wherever possible and until further notice, people should remain 5 metres away from people they don’t live with. People must not be grouped or clustered together within the premises.

Other useful links

• Covid Safe Businesses—frequently asked questions  – https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/127653/COVID-Safe-FAQ.pdf
• COVID-19 business decision tree – https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/129038/COVID-Safe-Businesses-Decision-Tree.pdf
• Industry COVID Safe Plans – Frequently Asked Questions – https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/129044/Industry-COVID-Safe-Plans-FAQs.pdf
• Display signage for your business – hand washing, total number of people allowed in your premises etc. – https://www.australia.gov.au/covidsafe-resources

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call Council to speak with an Environmental Health Officer on 4099 9444.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a worker or someone who is responsible for workers, you must identify and manage work health and safety risks including the exposure to COVID-19. Businesses should also plan to respond to cases of COVID-19 at work in line with advice provided by Queensland Health.

• Business, Activity and Undertaking Direction
  • Details about the current Public Health Direction is available at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/business-activity-undertaking-direction
  • A FAQ document about the Direction is available at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0037/976492/business-activity-undertaking-qas.pdf
  • Further clarification of the Direction is available at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0038/976493/understanding-business-activity-undertaking-direction.pdf

   

• The Direction applies to swimming pools that are:
  • Used for training/rehabilitation purposes; and
  • Public pools for swimming lessons, recreational purposes,
  • Pools in shared facilities such as hotels and apartment complexes.

   

• The Direction applies the following restrictions:
  • Limited to 20 people at a time and must comply with the additional conditions of:
    1. limit total numbers of people. Where possible, up to one parent/carer per child if necessary;
    2. communal showers and change rooms must be closed. Toilets may remain open;
    3. minimise use of communal facilities;
    4. maintain social distancing, hand hygiene and frequent environmental cleaning and disinfecting.

  Notes: shower with soap before and after training (at home, not at the pool); no unnecessary co-mingling, especially outside of the pool – “Get in, train, get out”.

   

  Workplace Health and Safety requirements

  All business in Queensland have obligations and responsibilities under Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) legislation including:

  • An already existing Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) Plan;
  • A new section outlining how you will be managing COVID-19 in your workplace; and
  • Your WHS Plan must be on display at all times.

  Your WHS Plan is an internal document so does not need to be submitted for approval.

  For more information please see:

  • Worksafe QLD – Keeping your workplace safe, clean and healthy during COVID-19
  • https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/192689/WHS-plan-for-COVID19.pdf

If you have any question please contact Council’s Environmental Health Unit on 4099 9444.

• Details about the current Public Health Direction is available at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/business-activity-undertaking-direction2
• Further clarification of the Direction is available at https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/business-activity

The Business, Activity and Undertaking Direction states:

• A copy of the health management plan is available at: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/business-activity-undertaking-direction2
• A copy of the Guideline for Completing a Health Management Plan is available at: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0033/959910/guideline-risk-mitigation-for-accommodation-transport.pdf

Social distancing

A person who owns, controls or operates an accommodation facility included in the table must ensure social distancing is observed to the extent possible and there is no more than one person per 4 square metres, unless otherwise specified.

Record keeping

All accommodation businesses must keep contact information about all guests and staff for contact tracing purposes for a period of 56 days, unless otherwise specified. This information must include:

• name,
• address,
• mobile phone number, and
• the date/time period of patronage.

If requested, this information must be provided to public health officers. The information should be securely stored, not used for any other purpose and deleted after 56 days.

Workplace Health and Safety requirements

All business in Queensland have obligations and responsibilities under Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) legislation including:

• An already existing Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) Plan;
• A new section outlining how you will be managing COVID-19 in your workplace; and
• Your WHS Plan must be on display at all times.

Your WHS Plan is an internal document so does not need to be submitted for approval.

For more information please see Worksafe QLD – Keeping your workplace safe, clean and healthy during COVID-19

If you have any questions please contact Council’s Environmental Health Unit on 4099 9444.

The Qld government has implemented a Public Health Direction for Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings for STAGE 2 of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

• Details about the Public Health Direction is available at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/business-activity-undertaking-direction
• A FAQ document about the Direction is available at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0037/976492/business-activity-undertaking-qas.pdf
• Further clarification of the Direction is available at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0038/976493/understanding-business-activity-undertaking-direction.pdf

The Direction states that businesses (including hairdressers and barbers) which provide the following services may operate in compliance with a COVID SAFE checklist and with a maximum of 20 customers at a time:

• Beauty therapy (for example, facials, makeup, waxing and laser treatments)
• Nail services
• Tanning
• Cosmetic injections
• Personal appearance services where skin penetration is used
• Massage therapy for the management or prevention of a disease, injury or condition, provided by a qualified massage therapist
• Day spas and wellness centres (excluding water-based spa services such as saunas and bathhouses)

 STAGE 2 easing of restrictions

In order to operate as a beauty therapist during STAGE 2 of the easing of restrictions, your business MUST have:

1. WHS Plan

All business in Queensland have obligations and responsibilities under Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) legislation including:

• An already existing Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) Plan;
• A new section outlining how you will be managing COVID-19 in your workplace; and
• Your WHS Plan must be on display at all times.

Your WHS Plan is an internal document so does not need to be submitted for approval.

For more information please see Worksafe QLD – Keeping your workplace safe, clean and healthy during COVID-19

2. COVID SAFE Checklist

This is mandatory for high risk industries and businesses that wish to re-open previously restricted activities.  Businesses wishing to continue with takeaway and home delivery services only are not required to complete a COVID SAFE Checklist.  Some important things to remember with your COVID-19 Checklist:

• You are required to complete and display COVID Safe checklist before trading under Stage 2 of the easing of restrictions.
• These checklists tell you what you need to do if you are a business operating in Stage 1 or Stage 2 to be COVID Safe. The checklists include input resulting from consultation with key industry stakeholders.
• You MUST complete the Checklist to ensure you comply with essential health requirements to enable you to open and provide a safe environment for your customers and your staff.
• You MUST sign and display the checklist in a prominent, visible location at your business premises.
• The checklist is not required to be submitted for approval to any authority

A template of the checklist is available at COVID Safe Checklist – Beauty Salons

3. Mandatory COVID SAFE training

All staff must complete the training within 2 weeks of re-opening (all new staff must complete the training prior to commencement of work)

COVID SAFE training programs are now available and can be accessed online through TAFE Queensland or from an approved industry organisation:

• TAFE Queensland COVID SAFE training – https://tafeqld.edu.au/covid-safe
• A list of approved industry courses is being developed and will be available at https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/covid-safe-businesses.  There are currently no approved Hair & Beauty Industry courses.

4. Approved Industry COVID SAFE Plan (only for businesses wanting to accommodate more than 20 customers)

A COVID SAFE Plan is required to be implemented by eligible businesses who wish to have more than 20 customers on their business premises, and whose business premises are large enough to do so and still meet the 4m² rule.

Businesses do not need to individually submit a COVID SAFE plan. Plans have been being developed by the National Retail Association, Australian Retail Association & Hair & Beauty Industry Association on your behalf and submitted to the Qld government for approval.

Please regularly check relevant industry websites for updates and further information.

Once approved, Plans will be published on https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/approved-industry-covid-safe-plans

 Other useful links

• Covid Safe Businesses—frequently asked questions  – https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/127653/COVID-Safe-FAQ.pdf
• COVID-19 business decision tree – https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/129038/COVID-Safe-Businesses-Decision-Tree.pdf
• Industry COVID Safe Plans – Frequently Asked Questions – https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/129044/Industry-COVID-Safe-Plans-FAQs.pdf
• Display signage for your business – hand washing, total number of people allowed in your premises etc. – https://www.australia.gov.au/covidsafe-resources

More information and a COVID Safe Checklist can be found at:

• QLD Health 
• Roadmap to Easing Restrictions
• COVID-Safe FAQ

If you have any questions please contact Councils Environmental Health Unit on 4099 9444.

Port Douglas Carnivale 2020 has been postponed in line with recommendations from the Federal Government on non-essential mass gatherings.

Douglas Shire Council will investigate the possibility of holding aspects of the festival, originally scheduled for May this year, as part of its economic recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic at a future date.

As the COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation, Council will continually monitor the latest health advice and review the circumstances before a public announcement about a future date.

• MEDIA RELEASE: Port Douglas Carnivale 2020 postponed (18th March 2020)

Please contact Council’s Market Coordinator at 0459 999 078 if you have any questions.

You can stay updated at Council’s website and Facebook page.

Council encourages everyone to visit QLD Health’s website for the most up-to-date information.

The National Cabinet agreed to new and enhanced social distance measures, building on the existing measures that are in place.

There are new restrictions apply to:

• Galleries, museums, national institutions and historic sites
• Libraries, community centres, and youth centres
• Local government non-essential facilities and services (such as libraries and pools).
• Community facilities (such as community halls, clubs, RSLs, PCYCs).
• Places of worship, weddings and funerals

Weddings with a maximum attendance of no more than 20 people, in addition to the bridge, groom and celebrant (23 in total) and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies.

Up to 100 people will be allowed to attend a funeral.  The next of kin will be required to keep a list of attendees with their contact details for a period of eight (8) weeks after the funeral.

At this stage, Council will refund bookings for its venues up until 30 June, 2020.

Staff will continue to review the situation and possibly extend that date, depending on the expert health advice.

Venues include the following:

Indoor venues:

• Sugar Wharf
• Port Douglas Community Hall (including Space Port Meeting Room & all Space Port Desks.)
• Mossman Community Hall
• Daintree Hall

Parks:

• Rex Smeal Park
• George Davis Park
• Little Cove
• Mossman Show Grounds
• Port Douglas Sports Complex
• Reynolds Park

Please contact enquiries@douglas.qld.gov.au or call 4099 9444 if you have any questions.

The Bloomfield Track is open to travellers at Emmagen Creek near Cape Tribulation.

Council would like to advise motorists that there is a road barrier at the northern end of the track, near Woobadda Creek, as part of the State Government’s COVID-19 restrictions.  The track cannot be used to access Wujal Wujal.

Mossman Customer Service Centre is open from 8.30am to 4pm.

The building will close 30 minutes earlier than usual for cleaning. Staff can be contacted via phone or email until 4.30pm.

The Port Douglas Community Hub will remain closed until July.

Council would like to encourage customers to report issues or ask questions via:

• Phone: 07 4099 9444
• Email: enquiries@douglas.qld.gov.au
• Website: douglas.qld.gov.au/contact-us

Free travel on Daintree Ferry

The Daintree Ferry is OPEN.

Council will also waive the usual ferry fees until June 30 and multi-day passes that were due to expire have been extended to December 31 this year.

Council is also supporting tourism by providing free ferry travel for commercial tour operators. Read more information here.

Mossman and Port Douglas libraries have re-opened.

Mossman Library

• Only 20 customers inside at any time for a maximum of 30 mins
• Staff will monitor customer numbers
• Will close earlier for cleaning each day
• No device recharging available
• Wi-Fi outside library only
• Only two (2) public use computers available. Bookings essential (30min only). Call 4099 9496

Port Douglas Library

• Only two customers inside at any time for a maximum of 30 minutes
• Will close earlier for cleaning purposes each day
• No device recharging available
• Reading room unavailable
• Staff will monitor customer numbers
• Only one (1) public use computer available. Bookings essential (30min only). Call 4099 9496

Please follow the Douglas Libraries Facebook Page for updates.

Customers who wish to keep updated about library facilities are encouraged to contact Douglas Libraries at Libraries@douglas.qld.gov.au or  4099 9496 and sign up for their newsletter.

A reminder that the following programs are cancelled until further notice:

• Baby Rhyme Time
• Storytime
• Tech-Savvy Senior Workshops
• Lego & K’Nex
• Music & Song

The flagged swimming areas on Four Mile Beach have returned.  Surf Life Saving Queensland have advised that social distancing is required and encourage everyone to continue to follow Queensland Government advice.

The nursery will re-open on Wednesday 3 June for one day per week until restrictions have eased further.

Opening time will be 10.30 am to 3.30 pm every Wednesday. (Closed 12.30pm to 1.00 pm for lunch)

A limit of 2 customers at a time with social distancing rules applying. Staff will monitor customer numbers at all times.

Customers will be asked to wait outside the gates until it is their turn with the nursery technician.

The Mossman Pool is open with restrictions in place.

• Opening hours:
  • 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday
  • 8am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday
• Open for 20 customers at one time, by appointment and 1 hour time slot, multiple hourly time slots available if required
• Commercial lane hire available via appointment only
• All bookings can be made by calling 0417 768 26

Mossman Caravan Park: 

• Now open for all van park and cabin bookings.
• For any enquiries, please call 0417 768 266.

Outdoor recreation areas have re-opened in line with the latest Federal Government health advice.

Open facilities include:

• Playgrounds
• Outdoor exercise equipment
• Skate parks
• BBQs
• Pump tracks
• Picnic tables
• Parks

The Douglas Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) is urging residents to continue social distancing.

The Mossman Gorge section of the Daintree National Park will also remain closed to help in protect the Mossman Gorge Community.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, Council will be closing some public toilet facilities. These include:

• Mill Street toilets (Near Mossman Library)
• Rotary Park, Mossman (toilets near Foxton Bridge)
• Rotary Park at Grant Street, Port Douglas
• Hutchings Park Port Douglas
• Thornton Beach Café – Public Toilets closed
• Wonga Beach Caravan Park Toilets for residents only

The Daintree National Park Day Use Areas, north of the Daintree River, will have their toilet blocks partially closed because of reduced use and to minimise daily sanitization requirements. This is also being done to minimise the potential for staff to be exposed took COVID-19 when cleaning the toilets.

The details of the partial closures as follows:

• Jindalba DUA – close male and female toilet and leave only handicap toilet open
• Dubuji DUA –  close male and female toilet and leave only handicap toilet open
• Avalon Street –  close male and female toilet and leave only handicap toilet open
• Kulki DUA –  close male toilets and leave female open – this has handicap toilet within.

The toilets that are remaining open will continue to be cleaned and sanitised by Daintree North QPWS Rangers

The Scrap Shack is temporarily closed, this applies to both drop offs and collections.

All other activities at the Killaloe Waste Transfer Station will continue to operate as normal.

(e.g. general waste and recycling public drop offs are permitted.)

Don’t be a LOOnatic – Flush wisely!

Hoarding and scarcity of toilet paper emerged almost as a joke weeks ago but as it runs out, people may turn to poor substitutes. Flush wisely and keep it to three P’s: Pee, Poo and Paper!

Anything else — including wipes — is bad news for the pipes and pumps that carry sewage from your home to our wastewater treatment facilities, where professionals are working 24/7 to clean and treat what is flushed.

Even those products marked “flushable” contribute to blocking the sewerage system.

Douglas Shire Council has put social distancing measures in place at its waste transfer stations to help slow the spread of COVID-19, allowing Killaloe Transfer Station to reopen to the public.

Residents are reminded to consider whether a trip to the transfer station is essential. More information here.