SINGLETON LIGHTS UP
A NSW Government Regional Events Acceleration Fund grant of $149,910 will assist Singleton Council to stage the Firewalk spectacular and Firelight event next month.
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Firewalk will illuminate the Dunolly Bridge-Cook Park precinct with spectacular displays of laser lights and projections nightly during May 14-22.
On Saturday, May 21, John Street fires-up with flames, food and fun when Firelight takes centre stage in the heart of town.
The events are free but require a ticket to attend: www.singletonfirelightfestival.com.au.
COVID RULES UPDATE
The NSW Government's lifting of isolation rules for COVID-19 close contacts has been made possible due to strong vaccination rates in the state.
Close contacts of a confirmed case still need to comply with NSW Health guidelines such as not visiting aged care, hospitals, disability and correctional facilities and notifying employers or educational facilities that they are a close contact but are not required to isolate.
There is no change for positive cases with the seven-day isolation requirement for anyone who has recorded a positive RAT or PCR result.
Public health orders requiring key workforces to be vaccinated will be lifted with vaccine requirements to be based on risk assessments under occupational work health and safety.
We continue to be in a pandemic and the basic rules of hand hygiene, wearing a mask when you cannot physically distance and staying at home if you have symptoms still apply. Check the details at: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.
IS YOUR IMMUNISATION CURRENT?
Winter is approaching and NSW Health is urging everyone to be protected against Influenza and COVID-19.
Both 'flu' and COVID-19 are circulating in the community, so it is important to protect yourself and your community by getting vaccinated. Although the symptoms are similar, flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses, but their respective vaccines can be given together at the same time.
Some people are eligible for a free flu vaccine because they are more vulnerable including children, pregnant women, people with serious health conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people aged 65 years-and-over. Discover more at: www.nsw.gov.au/health-and-wellbeing/influenza.
FRONTLINE PROTECTED
The NSW Government is supporting, in full or in principle, all of the recommendations in the NSW Sentencing Council's report Assaults on Emergency Services Workers. New offences of assaulting frontline workers will align with existing penalties for assaulting NSW Police officers and other law enforcement officers.
The Government will go further than the recommendations from the report by ensuring that firefighters from the Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue and National Parks and Wildlife Service, and State Emergency Service frontline workers are covered by the new offences. The NSW Government's response to the Sentencing Council's report is available at: www.sentencingcouncil.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pages/Assault-police.aspx.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR
Households and businesses experiencing cost of living pressures could have extra money in their pocket by using the NSW Government Savings Finder program.
Savings specialists are also available in-person at Service NSW centres or by calling 13 77 88 to provide personalised assistance to find which initiatives are best suited to a family's needs.
The free Savings Finder tool which has something for everyone can be easily found on either the Service NSW App, or the MyServiceNSW Account on the Service NSW website: www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/savings-finder.
- Dave Layzell is the state member for the Upper Hunter