Temporary closure for community house

AS part of the ongoing effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, the Derwent Valley Community House has announced that both of its centres will close temporarily from 3pm this Friday, March 20.

"This has been a difficult decision for DVCH, but we support the Department of Health guidelines regarding social distancing and its longer-term benefits for our community, our staff and volunteers," community house co-ordinators Dianne Booth and Lexia Brown said in a statement.

The closure will affect the Blair St and The Avenue sites but staff will continue to provide information, advice and support to the community via phone, email and social media:

• Phone – 6261 5230
• Email – admin@dvch.org.au / project@dvch.org.au
• Facebook – Derwent Valley Community House

"We will also be making regular contact with our vulnerable community members – please let us know if there is someone you would like us to call," the co-ordinators said. "Food relief will still be available for now, but by a different process (to be advised). NILS appointments will be conducted by telephone for the most part. Please call DVCH for details."

At this stage, the Derwent Valley Community Garden will remain open but users are asked to follow  "social distancing" and hygiene recommendations and not visit the garden if:

• You have recently returned from overseas or have been in contact with anyone who has
• You are experiencing cold or flu symptoms

"We will continue to assess how we operate in line with up-to-date information from the Department of Health. Meanwhile, we encourage our community to take good care of yourselves and of each other and please let us know if you think that we can help in any way," Dianne and Lexia said.

In other local developments:

• The Southern Cricket Association 2019-20 first grade premiership has been awarded to New Norfolk following the decision to cancel this weekend's grand final. "We would've loved to be hosting the grand final this Saturday but we fully understand why the decision has been made. As there is no likelihood of the grand final being rescheduled any time soon, the first grade premiership will be awarded to us," club president Jamie Hill said.
• The Derwent Valley Youth Future Action Team (D'FAT) has postponed its scheduled Youth Week activities and school holiday activities. "D’FAT apologises for any inconvenience that this postponement may cause. The health and safety of all attendees and participants is a priority of D’FAT. D’FAT looks forward to re-scheduling these activities in the near future," chairman Nic Kaiser said.
• Hobart Speedway at Sorell Creek has cancelled its March 28 meeting.
• United Gung Fu Academy of Martial Arts has postponed its classes at public and school venues.

Advice about where to find official information about COVID-19 now appears at the top of the New Norfolk News homepage, including general advice about helping to reduce the spread of the virus. The best information is sourced from: World Health Organisation; Australian Government Department of Health; and the Tasmanian Government Department of Health.

Washing your hands for 20 seconds is one of the most effective forms of infection control. Do this after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; after close physical contact with anyone who is unwell; after using the toilet; before and after eating; before, during and after preparing food; and after feeding or touching a pet.

LOCAL IMPACTS:

• Corumbene Home: temporarily closed to visitors; 
• Derwent Valley Community House: temporarily closed;
• Woolworths: new opening hours 8am-8pm (7am-8am for seniors);
• New Norfolk High St Market: temporarily suspended.
• Anzac Day events: cancelled; 
• Anglican Church services: temporarily suspended; 
• Catholic Church public masses: temporarily suspended;
• Shanghai Chinese Restaurant: temporarily open for takeaways only; 
• Derwent Valley Visitor Information Centre: temporarily closed; 
• Derwent Valley Youth Week: postponed;
• Communities for Children school holiday activities: cancelled;
• Communities for Children "fix a bike" program: cancelled;
• Hobart Speedway (Sorell Creek): March 28 meeting cancelled;
• Southern Cricket Association first grade grand final: cancelled;
• United Gung Fu Academy of Martial Arts: Classes at public and school venues postponed;
• Targa Tasmania and Agfest: cancelled for this year;

Send updates: newnorfolknews@gmail.com