CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
This page was last updated on January 18, 2023 at 3.30pm
The Shire of Merredin will continue to be guided by the Federal Government and Department of Health WA (DoH) in relation to appropriate responses relating to the COVID-19/ Coronavirus issue.
In line with advice from the State Department of Communities, the Shire will be acting as a conduit for information and assist where appropriate.
The Shire will take all appropriate action in assessment of public safety in line with its normal planning process.
Business Information for Residents
Business Resources
Essential Numbers
WA Government
COVID-19 Testing Clinics
COVID-Ready Kit
Where to get Tested in the Wheatbelt
MANAGING COVID-19
There are thins you can do to help protect yourself and the community from COVID-19. Remember to stay home and get tested if you are unwell, wear a mask as needed, and stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations.
How to prepare for COVID-19
Preparing for COVID-19 makes it easier if you become infected or exposed to COVID-19. Here are some helpful tips:
- Make sure you have enough face masks and hand sanitiser ready.
- Prepare a kit with basic medical supplies such as a thermometer, pain relief medication, electrolytes, your regular medications, and rapid antigen tests (RATs).
- Choose someone to deliver supplies such as groceries and medication. This can be a family member or a friend.
- Have someone ready to help look after your children, pets, or anyone else in your care, in case you need to go to hospital.
- Have an emergency contact list with important phone numbers, such as your nominated support person, emergency services, and a GP.
What to do if you have COVID-19
If you have COVID-19, please stay home if you have COVID-19 until your symptoms have resolved to protect our community. This could take up to 10 days or more and a minimum of 5 day is a good guide.
You can recover from COVID-19 at home if your symptoms are mild.
Contact a GP or GP Respiratory Clinic if you start to feel worse. You can also call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. If your symptoms become severe, call 000 immediately.
- Manage your symptoms with rest and pain relief. Remember to check with your doctor if you are eligible for antiviral treatment.
- Stay at home until your symptoms resolve. This could take up to 10 days or more. A minimum of 5 days is a good guide.
- Don’t forget to tell anyone you have had close contact with that you have COVID. You’re most infectious 2 days before symptoms start.
- If you tested positive with a RAT, register your result with the Department of Health.
To protect those most at risk from COVID-19, for 7 days after testing positive for COVID-19 you should not visit or work in high-risk settings including hospitals, disability, mental health and aged care residential facilities and other healthcare settings (e.g., ambulance services, GP clinics, physiotherapy).
You can still attend public hospitals and high-risk settings for urgent medical care or treatment, but you should contact the facility to let them know you have tested positive for COVID-19.
Fore more information, please visit the State Government website.
Register your RAT test
SERVICEWA APP
The ServiceWA app has been updated to include three new features, with a focus on boosting community safety during summer:
- Emergency WA’s bushfire warning notifications – sending warning notifications based on your current location.
- SharkSmart – linking you to the website with latest shark advice warnings.
- Weather Stations – provides timely, relevant, and local data targeted to rural producers. This helps to make informed decisions including air temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and soil conditions.
The new services are steps forward in redefining how WA interacts digitally with government services, after the app was launched earlier this year to help with WA’s COVID-19 response and Safe Transition phase.
Click here for more information
Administration
The Shire Administration building will be open from Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm.
You can contact Shire staff via any of the following:
📞 (08) 9041 1611
🌐 admin@merredin.wa.gov.au
✉️ Facebook Page
Central Wheatbelt Visitors Centre
Opening hours for the CWVC will be Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4.30pm.
All visitors are kindly asked to sanitise their hands upon entry into the building.
You can contact Visitor Centre Staff via any of the following;
📞 (08) 9041 1666
🌐 visitor@merredin.wa.gov.au
✉️ Facebook Page
Cummins Theatre
Opening hours for the Cummins Theatre will be Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 3:00pm.
You can contact Theatre Staff via any of the following;
📞 (08) 9041 3295
🌐 cumminstheatre@merredin.wa.gov.au
✉️ Facebook Page
Merredin Library
The Merredin Library is open to the public.
The Call and Collect service is still available, simply contact the Library to place your book order.
📞 (08) 9041 1222
🌐 library@merredin.wa.gov.au
SHIRE COVID-19 INITIATIVES
FAVOUR FOR YOUR NEIGHBOUR
The COVID-19 epidemic has brought about a lot of change for everybody. It is important during these times that we stay connected and take the time to check in with our fellow community members to make sure that they are okay.
Here are some ways that you can check in with your friends and neighbours (while still practising safe social distancing!):
💌 Put a letter in your neighbours’ letter box
⚠️ Give your neighbour your contact details in case of an emergency
📞 Make regular phone or video calls to people you know and ask if they are okay
📱 Arrange virtual ‘playdates’ for your children, or yourself
If you know your neighbour will require extra help during this time, call Wendy at the Library on 9041 1222 and she will add them to the Vulnerable Persons List.
Alternatively, you can sign up for help by clicking here.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP
Thank you to all the COVID-19 volunteers who have assisted the Vulnerable in our community during the pandemic.
We no longer require new volunteers for COVID-19, however there are plenty of other Volunteer opportunities to get involved with.
If you would like to sign up as a volunteer with the Merredin CRC, contact them via the following:
📞 9041 1041
📧 merredin@crc.net.a
📍 110 Barrack St Merredin
🕑 Open 9.00am - 5.00pm
HEALTH INFORMATION
COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
Coronavirus can cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Affected people may experience:
- fever
- flu like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and headaches
- difficulty breathing.
Information sourced from Healthy WA
STOP THE SPREAD
1. Cough or sneeze into your arm or a tissue
2. Bin the tissue
3. Wash your hands with soap and water
4. If you have a fever or are sick, seek medical advice
**All advice is subject to daily review, based on the available advice from the Federal and State Government**