Queensland Health has reported that there have been 37 total confirmed cases to date in our health area*. (updated July 6).

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.

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.

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

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.

Stage 3 of the easing of Queensland’s COVID-19 restrictions took effect at, 12 noon on 3 July 2020.

A summary of how the changes effect food business is listed below.

Key changes & considerations:

• ‘The total area’ being referred to is calculated by the area that is available to patrons;
• Defined areas are no longer required;
• COVID Safe Checklist and COVID Safe Plans have, and will continue to be updated throughout the easing of the restrictions. You will need to ensure that at commencement of each stage you have printed, signed and displayed the latest checklist or your relevant COVID Safe Plan;
• The social distancing restrictions of 1.5 metres still apply;
• All businesses should be following the work health and safety guidelines;

Read the Frequently asked questions for COVID Safe Businesses

1. Businesses with a total area BELOW 200 square metres:

• Can now have one person per 2 square metres up to a maximum of 50 persons at a time e.g. a business with an area of 100 square metres can now have up to 50 patrons;
• Must complete and have displayed their COVID Safe Checklist;
• Maintain a register of patrons and contact details for at least 56 days;
• Ensure that ALL staff have completed the COVID Safe training;
• The social distancing requirement of 1.5 metres still applies, including between tables etc.
• If you wish to accommodate more than 50 patrons, a COVID Safe Plan will be required

Stage 3 – COVID Safe Checklist: Dining and drinking

2. Businesses with a total area ABOVE 200 square metres:

• Can have the maximum number of patrons at any one time determined by the 4 square metre rule e.g. a businesses with an area of 250 square metres can have 62 patrons;
• Must follow an approved COVID Safe Industry Plan (QLD Health have advised that all the COVID Safe Plans will be updated and available by tomorrow;
• Ensure that ALL staff have complete the COVID Safe training;
• The social distancing requirement of 1.5 metres still applies, including between tables etc.

Approved COVID Safe Industry Plans

COVID Safe mandatory training

An online training program has been developed to provide all staff with training that will allow them to help ensure a COVID Safe work environment. This training is mandatory and must be completed within two weeks of a business opening/reopening. Staff that commence with your business after this two-week period must complete this training before commencing.

Free COVID Safe training program (TAFE QLD)
COVID Safe training – Restaurant & Catering Australia

Further information is available at the following:

• COVID Safe Businesses
• Framework for COVID Safe Businesses
• Business Health & Safety resources, poster for COVID-19

Please do not hesitate to contact the Environmental Health unit if you have any further questions on (07) 4099 9444.

Accommodation – Hotels, Motels, Caravan Parks, Camp Grounds, Airbnb’s and Accommodation providers of seasonal workers.

Accommodation Providers

1. All accommodation providers must implement public health controls which are measures to reduce public health risks. These measures may include:
   • environmental cleaning,
   • hygiene measures,
   • regular washing of hands,
   • availability of hand sanitiser, and
   • avoiding handshaking.

People should observe physical distancing to the extent possible (maintain 1.5m between persons).

2. All accommodation providers must operate on the basis that occupant density is:
   • no more than one person per 2 square metres (up to a total of 50 people) for venues or spaces of 200 square metres or less; or
   • no more than one person per 4 square metres for venues or spaces of 200 square metres or more.

(Note – occupant density applies to areas of the business that are open to or used by the public)

3. All accommodation providers must operate in accordance with an Approved Plan.  The relevant industry plan is available at QLD Tourism and Accommodation Industry COVID Safe Plan
4. The following accommodation providers must also have a Health Management Plan in place to reopen or continue operating:
   • Short term rentals and short term accommodation that offer shared bathroom or shared kitchen facilities (for example, serviced apartments including holiday rentals, holiday accommodation or hosting accommodation provided through online booking platforms); or
   • hostels, bed and breakfasts, backpackers, boarding houses (unless operating solely for permanent residents of the facility, or health and community services); or
   • Caravan and camping parks (unless operating solely for permanent residents of the facility).

A copy of the Health Management Plan template is available at: Stage 3 – Public Health Direction

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

5. If you operate one of the above facilities that is not required to have a Health Management Plan, you must still comply with the following conditions stated in the Direction:
   1. A person who owns, controls or operates a restricted business, activity or undertaking in the State of Queensland, including operating at a private residence, or in a public space, may operate the business, activity or undertaking on the basis that occupant density is:
      • no more than one person per 2 square metres (up to a total of 50 people) for venues or spaces of 200 square metres or less; or
      • no more than one person per 4 square metres for venues or spaces of 200 square metres.
   2. A person who owns, controls or operates a restricted business, activity or undertaking 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, phone number, email address, and the date and 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.

Accommodation Providers for seasonal workers

For further information for providers accommodating seasonal workers in agribusiness or commercial fisheries during COVID-19, refer to the Seasonal Workers Health Management Plans Direction and associated factsheets for Seasonal work in agribusiness and commercial fisheries during COVID-19

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.

Information about the current COVID Safe requirements for these events will be added to the website shortly.

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 Wujal Wujal.

The track is subject to seasonal flooding, slips, loss of traction, potholes and fallen trees.

Conditions on the Track can change very quickly and “if it’s flooded forget it”.

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.