The Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) met again this morning and I would like to provide you with an update from that meeting.

Please see above for a video from Fr Paul providing notification of the cancellation of Mass for this weekend and also an update on future plans for Mass and our sacramental program.

There are updated government guidelines regarding visitations to our aged care services. The directives are that, to minimise the risk of transmission; visits should be brief, be conducted in a resident’s room or designated area and not in communal areas. No more than two visitors will be permitted at a time and children under 16 years are only permitted in special circumstances. All visitors will need to wash their hands before entering and leaving a resident’s room and will be encouraged to practise social distancing where possible, including to stay away from services when unwell. To ensure the number of visits to our services are managed, the approved visiting hours across our services are: Monday-Friday from 9.00am-5.00pm and Saturday-Sunday from 9.00am-3.00pm. Please keep aware of changes to any signage at entry points to these services as additional sign-in forms or procedures begin to be introduced for staff, visitors and contractors.

While NSW Health is currently working through the closure of a local school due to a COVID-19 positive test result, there has been no instruction for Catholic schools to close at present. The Parish is working closely with the Catholic Schools Office in Lismore, and will keep you up to date regarding any changes to this decision. Our early education centres, in line with centres across the state, are strongly recommending children to stay at home if exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Like the schools, the current plan is for our early education centres to remain open.

We are also currently looking at ways in which we can partner with other organisations to deliver grocery hampers to those most in need. This is something of which I am particularly supportive, as it fits well and truly with our Vision, Mission and Values. I expect more details to be available about that soon.

Once again, I thank you for everything you are doing to bring our Vision, Mission and Values to the Parish and to your support in this challenging environment. Please continue to be calm, positive and look after yourselves and each other.

Adam Spencer – Chief Executive Officer