Council well-prepared for COVID peak

Townsville City Council is well prepared to continue providing essential services to the community throughout the forecast peak of COVID transmission.

Council’s business continuity planning has been ongoing since the onset of COVID-19 and has more recently undertaken rigorous scenario planning based on Queensland’s Health’s COVID infection rate advice, which is forecasted to peak at 50 per cent-plus in late January or early February.

Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said during this endemic period, Council’s focus was on the uninterrupted delivery of essential services for the public health, safety and welfare of the community.

“We have implemented a variety of strategies to maximise the availability of resources, including reducing physical contact within the workplace, varying team compositions and work schedules based on critical needs and identifying and sourcing any additional resources or supplies that will be required,” Cr Greaney said.

“Council is closely monitoring the COVID transmission impacts to its services and staff.

“As our community moves through the endemic phase, Council will be working to minimise temporary changes to services to remain focused on critical services to ensure our community’s public health, safety and welfare.”

Council employs about 1,800 people who live and work in the community. Council has 60 staff – or less than 4 per cent of staff – in isolation or self-quarantine due to COVID as of 13 January 2022.

“We thank the community in advance for their understanding and patience as we adapt and respond to the changing circumstances that will present over the next two months,” Cr Greaney said.

For ongoing updates, visit Council’s dedicated COVID Support & Information webpage and follow us on Facebook.