16 March 2020
Coronavirus update from LG Professionals WA
In light of the current situation regarding the COVID-19 virus, LG Professionals WA would like to emphasize that the health and wellbeing of our members, delegates, colleagues and the wider local government sector is our first and foremost priority.
We understand the situation is changing by the hour, and in response to several external factors (business continuity plans being put in to place limiting attendance at non-essential meetings/events, venue policy changes, self-isolation and/or personal decisions of guest speakers to cancel their event presentations) we have taken the decision to cancel all events until further notice.
We are currently working through all our registrations and all registered delegates will receive a separate communication to confirm their cancellation and a full refund, via the payment method used for the original transaction (Credit card/EFT).
To ensure our members and the sector are supported through this period of uncertainty and unrest we will be delivering a series of complimentary webinars to assist local government officers to prepare, plan and respond to the pandemic. Information about the webinars will be circulated separately.
WALGA has a dedicated page on their website to assist with the most up to date information. The page has live links to ensure it always directs you to the relevant pages, which are being updated by the lead agencies, including links to the HealthyWA website and State Government Coronavirus Page which the Department of Health and Premier and Cabinet have advised should be used as the single sources of truth as the pandemic situation escalates. The page link is: https://walga.asn.au/News,-Events-and-Publications/Media/COVID-19
We are closely monitoring the situation and following governmental advice and guidelines and whilst the Department of Health has been appointed lead agency for distribution of information on the disease and responses, the Department of Premier and Cabinet has established a specific Coronavirus Pandemic Coordination Unit to liaise across agencies, businesses and Local Governments in enacting the State Pandemic Plan. We are working closely with the Coronavirus Pandemic Unit to provide information to the sector.
The State Government has agreed to include all Local Government CEOs in information updates being sent to State Agencies on a twice-weekly basis. The updates are shared on the WA Health website and can be accessed here.
Local Government Communications Officers are encouraged to monitor and share any HealthyWA Facebook posts about Coronavirus to their communities rather than writing their own, as HealthyWA information is updated daily.
Once again, we reiterate that the health and wellbeing of our members, colleagues, delegates and the wider local government sector is our first and foremost priority.
We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide regular updates as things change.
If you have any concerns, or would like to discuss this further please contact LG Professionals WA, CEO Candy Choo on [email protected].