Orange City Council will cease making over-the-counter financial transactions at most council agencies including the Orange Civic Theatre to minimise the risk of infection due to coronavirus.
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However, most public facilities will remain open for the time being as the council grapples with the developing situation around COVID-19.
The Orange City Library, Orange Aquatic Centre and Orange Civic Theatre will remain open, while council-run child cares will also continue to operate as per normal.
CEO David Waddell said the council will continue to adapt to the developing COVID-19 situation with a focus on service delivery.
Mr Waddell said Council was ensuring it complied with the government's requirements to limit the number of people at indoor locations.
"As well as essential services, a number of council agencies provide meeting places and facilities that will continue to be important in supporting community members through this crisis. For that reason, Orange City Council staff are aiming to keep facilities such as the Library, Aquatic Centre and child care centres open," Mr Waddell said.
Mr Waddell said the "senior leadership" at council was monitoring impacts of the virus, and plans were in place to deliver essential services.
Those needing to pay bills, rates or debtors payments are being encouraged to pay online, use BPay or visit Australia post or call 6393 8000 with credit card details.
"We are changing how we work so we can keep operating and delivering services. This is an ever changing challenge but our attention is on community and staff health and safety while continuing to meet community needs," Mr Waddell said.
"We have 500 staff and they are part of 500 families so we are very much part of and working for the community."
Mr Waddell said council was encouraging residents to follow NSW Health advice on social distancing, with personal hygiene and isolation the two best ways to manage the pandemic and "protect the most vulnerable members of the community".
The Orange City Library has moved public personal computers to be at a metre and a half apart to increase social distancing and the plastic cover of every book is being wiped with disinfectant when it's returned to the library after borrowing, and keyboards are being routinely wiped.
Council Child Care centres will only close for cleaning if someone had been on the premises that had been diagnosed of having COVID-19, before re-opening when it is deemed safe to do so.
The Aquatic Centre is crediting fees for Learn to Swim classes if parents choose to withdraw their children. All Council agency staff such as the Child Care Centre and Aquatic Centre employees are keeping their communities in touch about local arrangements.
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