NSW Premier Dominic Perrotet and Emergency Services and Resilience Minister Steph Cook visited the flooded areas in Ballina, north of New South Wales today, March 4 at 2:30pm for an update on the flooding. Both Perrotet and Cook assured the residents that the government is responding to the identified needs of the area, but reiterated that safety of people is the paramount concern.
NSW Emergency Minister Steph Cooke says 300,000 people currently subject to evacuation warnings should be prepared to leave at very short notice, should their warning be upgraded to an order.
In NSW, people who are isolating because of the virus have been told to follow orders to evacuate to avoid the danger of the rising flood waters in their area.
Around 500,000 people in NSW are now subject to an evacuation order or warning as the state grapples with an unprecedented flood crisis.
Acting Chief Health Officer Marianne Gale says anyone isolating because of COVID-19 must leave their areas if they are ordered to do so by the State Emergency Service.
"If you are told to evacuate, you must evacuate," she said on Thursday.
"Under no circumstances should you remain in self-isolation at your residence - your safety is our highest concern and an emergency evacuation is a valid reason to leave your home."
NSW Health recommends that COVID-19 positive people at flood evacuation centres should notify staff, wear a mask and physically distance from others.
Today’s statistics of cases and vaccination level are as per table below:
In the meantime, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison is in emergency dialogue with ally nations with regards to sanctions being imposed on Russia following its invation of Ukraine.