Ballina Shire Council say they are working hard to keep our community and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To fulfil our obligation under the NSW Public Health Order, entry conditions to several Council facilities will temporarily change from Monday 11 October to Tuesday 30 November 2021.
From Monday 11 October all members of the public aged 16+ who attend the below Council’s facilities will be required to:
- Be fully vaccinated
- Sign in with the mandatory QR code (includes children)
- Wear a mask while indoors (persons aged over 12)
- Be prepared to provide evidence of exemption to police or authorised officers if these requirements cannot be met.
These entry conditions will be required at the following Council facilities:
- Alstonville Aquatic Centre
- Ballina Indoor Sports Centre
- Ballina Visitor Information Centre
- Ballina War Memorial Swimming Pool
- Lennox Head Cultural Centre
- Northern Rivers Community Gallery
- Ignite Studios
We ask patrons entering these venues to be patient and respectful as our staff adjust to these new requirements.
For more information about the NSW Public Health Order and the roadmap for easing restrictions visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19/easing-covid-19-restrictions
For more information about Council facilities and COVID-19 updates visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/Covid
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row. An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market. The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into Covid-19. Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week. COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal. Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day. The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing. Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September. SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures. The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU.
COVID-19 reduces Australian life expectancy
Wuhan market increasingly likely origin point for COVID-19
Editorial – There’s a bat in my lab!
Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need
COVID-19 pandemic has cut life expectancy globally
COVID-19 update for New South Wales
Five graphs you need to see before the Global Carbon Budget...
Public transport mask mandate to end
NSW Police: be COVID-vigilant at Splendour in the Grass
COVID-19 update for the NNSWLHD – May 23
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
