Issue 240 of COAST Community News

Page 1

1 MAY 2020

ISSUE 240

YOUR REAL INDEPENDENT WEEKLY LOCAL NEWS

New intercity trains arrive

News

Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, is encouraging all Central Coast residents to download the Federal Government’s new coronavirus tracing app See pages 6

Out&About

Thousands of commuters in the region are looking forward to a more comfortable train ride to Sydney with testing ramping up on the New Intercity Fleet.

The Rhythm Hut might not be able to host their usual classes or gigs, but music is still very much alive on Faunce St. See page 13

Business

See more page 7

Relaxing of restrictions tied to more testing NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has called for increased COVID-19 testing as she begins the long and challenging process of getting life back to normal. Last week, the Premier announced a plan for NSW schools to recommence Term 2 in stages, beginning with continued online learning in the first two weeks, and then a staggered return to classrooms from May 11. Earlier this week, the Premier subsequently announced that social restrictions had been eased slightly to allow a maximum of two adults to visit another household for social or care reasons, with children permitted to accompany them. Premier Berejiklian also acknowledged in her daily press conference on Tuesday, April 28, that many retail outlets and offices were likely to restart normal operations in late May and it is expected that

more specific announcements will follow in coming weeks. A key condition of the government’s nascent steps to re-start economic activity, however, is more proactive testing for COVID-19. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, is calling for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, to present for testing. “NSW is doubling testing capacity from around 4,000 tests per day to 8,000. “The Central Coast Local Health District is currently

testing around 110 people per day, but we are looking to double this over coming weeks”, Crouch said. COVID-19 clinics are located at Gosford Hospital and Wyong Hospital and operate seven days a week, with pop-up clinics in Erina and other centres. Crouch also warned that the initial steps taken to relax restrictions was not an invitation for people to start travelling around NSW. “A great deal of common sense needs to be applied. “Anyone over the age of 70 is

still in the high-risk category. “Please continue to stay home unless you need to exercise, go to work or school, buy essentials or need medical care.” Crouch said that police are still on the beat enforcing restrictions and social distancing rules. NSW Labor welcomed the easing of restrictions, acknowledging similar moves in other states, but leader, Jodi McKay, called for greater clarity on the stages for lifting restrictions to avoid public confusion, especially in relation to schools. “Term 2 (has begun) but the Government has failed to provide a consistent and clear plan,” she said. “Now it’s every school for themselves and there are serious inconsistencies around playgrounds that ought to be clarified. “Labor is calling on the

Premier to resolve the issue by lifting restrictions on all playgrounds. “While school playgrounds will be open, the neighbourhood playground will not be.” McKay said. As at 8pm on Tuesday, Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) had recorded 117 confirmed cases of Covid-19. A spokesperson for CCLHD said, 115 cases have now been released from daily follow up, with only one person in hospital. There have been almost 8,200 tests carried out in the region to date. Source: Media statement, Apr 28 Office of the NSW Premier Media release, Apr 28 Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch Media statement, Apr 28 Central Coast Local Health District Media release, Apr 28 NSW Labor Leader, Jodi McKay and Shadow Health Minister, Ryan Park

Some relief could be in sight for thousands of trade and construction industry workers on the Central Coast See page 21 Woy Woy Philosophy Society

Meeting #17. The Invisible Hand of Adam Smith

Bugger me, not the Fudge Monkey … it was bad enough when the Leagues Club closed, but where the hell will we get our fudge cup-cakes and watch the jelly-wrestling now? See page 27

Puzzles page 19

Office: Level 2, 86-88 Mann St, Gosford - Phone: 4325 7369 - Mail: PO Box 1056, Gosford 2250 - E-mail: editorial@centralcoastnews.net - Website: www.coastcommunitynews.com.au


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