With a 50% downturn in draught beer sales recorded nationally, It’s probably no surprise to hear that local pubs are doing it tough.As ongoing Covid restrictions continue to change how struggling venues can run, the latest Australian Tax Office (ATO) figures show draught beer sales were down by half in the first quarter (July-September) of the 2021-22 tax year.That’s 40 million fewer pints of beer poured nationally, than for the same period in 2019, before the pandemic hit.Read more news: Financial support for events forced to cancel as Omicron waves doubt over local events It comes after a horror year in 2020 where pubs and clubs lost over $1 billion in beer sales due to lockdowns and other restrictions.The ATO recorded 903,982 litres of alcohol as having been served in beers over the counter in July-September 2021 compared to 1,993,027 litres during the same period in 2019.The latest figures from the ATO show that losses for 2021 could well exceed this.The Lismore App rang some of our struggling local pubs to find out how the pandemic has impacted on our hospitality sector.The GollanGlenn, the manager at the Gollan Hotel said the business was relying on this summer period to recover from the devastating hit to sales during lockdowns."The reality is that this hasn’t happened,” he said. “It’s worse than it’s ever been – no parties or functions and under half the normal trade. “I’ve had to cancel all of the live music acts I had booked – we can’t have live music, dance or sing. It’s crazy. It’s stopping us from making a living.“We were trying to get ahead and had bands booked and karaoke and they were shattered too when I cancelled.“What’s the difference between a pub and a church – when they can sing and dance at a church?”Glen said Lismore town was also quieter than normal for a January, surmising that people were staying home because it was deemed “safer”.“So, now we are doing it tough and all the government grants are finished and there’s no compensation.The RousDarryl, manager at the Rous Hotel said things were much the same there, with five functions already cancelled during the first half of January.“I’ve cut staff hours and put on half the bar staff I used to - to try to keep trading in a bid to save a little bit,” he said.“Normally we’d have tradies and a good lunch crowd here during school holidays – lots of families and kids – but now there’s no one. “We will keep going but it’s hard to plan and organize things.“We wanted to do something for Australia Day, but now we won’t because we don’t know if we will have staff or patrons.“I’m not sure why it’s so hard to get staff. Before Christmas I thought it was because people wanted time off and didn’t want to work. Supermarkets are finding the same.Beer taxBrewers Association of Australia, Chief Executive John Preston is now calling for the Federal Government to use the forthcoming Federal Budget to reduce Australia’s 4th highest beer tax in the world to give pubs and clubs a fighting chance. “We are very concerned that on 1 February the Australian Government will hit Australian beer drinkers with one of the biggest beer tax increases in more than a decade – it’s not right and it’s not sustainable. Other countries have been reducing their tax on draught beer to give pubs and beer drinkers a break.”

Lismore local Deep Khuller flew to India to see his family 10 days ago – and once he arrived in Dehli, he found out he had contracted the Covid virus.Deep said he is “fortunate” to have gotten Covid in India - and not Australia.His experience of the medical system in India has made him realize how Australia is “far behind” India when it comes to managing the treatment of Covid in the population.DifferencesDespite India having a much larger population, Deep said PCR and RAT tests are cheap ($5 each) and readily available. He said home-care medical system operates smoothly and speedily, with follow up prescriptions sent to you at home by a doctor.Deep also said Covid test results in India give much more detail about the level of severity and contagiousness of the Covid positive person.‘Third world’It’s information he said he would never have known about if he had been tested in Australia.“If your lexicon still has the outdated ‘third world’, please add Australia to it as all the other countries that used to be described by that racist phrase have all moved on,” Deep said.Update from Dehli“While I knew, Dehli was going to be risky, it's unfortunate that I got Covid only a few days after being here,” he said.“It’s possible I got it from going to a local hospital to consult doctors on dad's health - it's the only place I have been other than staying at home.”Now isolating at home, Deep said his only worry is his old parents, so he is being very careful.The process“When I arrived, I had a temperature check and no symptoms. I was sure I wasn’t infected because I had a PCR test 72 hours before flying,” he said. “My sister had one symptom and then got a positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), followed by a negative PCR test. My other sister had a negative RAT, but a positive PCR test.”Quick home PCR test “When I wanted to find a PCR test in Dehli, I looked online for a local testing lab and contacted them.“Within 30 minutes, a person arrived at my home, swabbed me – and I had the results sent to me online within 10 hours.”RAT versus PCRWhile RATs are not as conclusive as a PCR test Covid, Deep said they detect Covid before you get it.“And that’s a good thing,” he said.“In India, the PCR test report shows you the severity of Covid you have. Different numbers mean more or less infectious - the higher the number, the lower the severity.“If it’s below 8, it’s very infectious, 18 is mild. Mine was 16.“My sister who tested negative had the number 24, but I was 16, so more infectious.Unaware“My friends in Australia I spoke to said they are not aware of that. It’s not reported like that in Australia.“I’ve been reading a lot about it. There’s so much information we don’t know about in Australia unless you seek it.”SymptomsDeep said his symptoms were a scratchy throat, mild fatigue and a mild fever, with shivers in the night.“I had a temperature of 100 temp for a few days and I’ve been told it takes about ten days till the virus leaves your body.“I’ve already done five days of isolation, as the doctor recommended.Doctor and after care“The doctor gave me a free phone call and spoke to me for ten minutes about my symptoms and what medicines I can take – it included vitamin D and high dose 650mg paracetamol – not available in Australia.“She sent through a prescription as a PDF file on my phone afterwards.“The pharmacy then delivered the medicines to my home."Later, I had health authorities contact me saying I can join in with yoga classes online - and then again checking on how I am and if any other family members have been tested or are sick!.Deep's prescription.‘Amazing system’“What an amazing system. It avoids the hospitals being overloaded - and there are Covid specialists in every hospital.“It’s not the same in Australia.“India has vaccinated close to a billion people. It produces vaccinations locally and is now driving the booster campaign.”Australian testing debacleBefore Deep left to go to India, he was required to get Covid tests done. It’s a process he describes as a “debacle”.“I had to have a PCR done 72 hours prior to travel and this is all done by private companies - due to the format required.“In the Northern Rivers, the company 4Cyte was listed for our region. After paying $120, I got a list of places to go and in their 40+ testing sites, all were shut, including Lismore.“The only place for Northern Rivers was South Tweed and it was open only 8am to 12pm.“I was told I had to queue up in the drive in with others with no special access for paid tests.“So I got up at 5am as soon as my 72 hour window started and drove to Tweed.“I got there by 6.30am to be turned away, as even the drive in queue with hundreds of cars was full.“I really started panicking. I parked nearby and walked up to the testing site.“After talking to very helpful staff I found I would be allowed in, separate to the rest - and I could breathe again.“The first car parked had got there at 3.30 am.Anti vaxxers and white privilege “You never hear of white privileged anti-vaxx rhetoric here in India.“The anti-vaxx stance really is a white privilege and we need to recognize when we come from privileged backgrounds – and how that attitude is contributing to it.“I see that Western people from rich countries don’t understand their white privilege.“While India is often looked at as a poor, third world country, it is Australia that is outdated – not India.“But, India has its own problems – and there is a wide discrepancy between rich and poor.Paying $5 for a RAT in India is still expensive for a poor labourer.“But the processes and systems here are better than Australia.”Read more about Deep: SUNDAY PROFILE: Local volunteer Deepak Khuller

Motorists are advised of changed overnight traffic conditions from this week on the Bruxner Highway at Casino to carry out important maintenance work between Hickey and Short streets. One traffic lane will be closed with alternating flow arrangements in place while workers resurface areas around the intersections to provide a longer lasting and safer road for motorists. To minimise impact on motorists, work will be carried out from 6pm to 6am on the nights of Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 January, and again on the night of Tuesday 1 February, weather permitting. Traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists.  Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control. Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time. For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit http://www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701. 

 As the daily routine of living with Covid-19 continues, many locals now either know people who have had Covid – or are simply waiting for the time when they too contract the spreading virus.Today, another 409 new cases of Covid were reported in the Northern NSW Local Health District. (NNSWLHD), with 43 of them being in Lismore Local Government Area.Read more Covid news: Pandemic sees Lismore's private hospital open to public patientsReporting changes ‘PCR cases’When it comes to the reporting of new daily Covid numbers, an interesting change from our local health authorities that new cases are referred to as ‘PCR cases’.This change comes as the availability of home-based Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) affects the cumulative total numbers of positive Covid cases. RAT test results are not included in the daily totals.While the reporting of a positive RAT you have done at home is now mandatory, it is still unclear whether the true numbers of cases are being reported.Anyone who tests positive using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) are now required to register their result with Service NSW.District breakdownOf the 409 new cases in our local district, Tweed Heads has the highest number with 230, followed by Lismore and Ballina with 43, Clarence Valley with 36, Byron Bay with 34, Richmond Valley with 17, and Kyogle with 6.It seems Byron is no longer the epicenter of new cases, as Tweed Heads numbers continue to rise.Local ICU cases and deathsThere are 50 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 6 of these in ICU.One death from Covid has been reported of a person aged in their 60s from Tweed Heads.Northern NSW Local Health District is urging people to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.NSW statistics There are currently 2,776 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, including 203 people in intensive care, 61 of whom require ventilation.There were 17 Covid related deaths -12 men and five women. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 885. Of the 17 people who died; 14 people were vaccinated against COVID-19, one person had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and two people were not vaccinated.Older age is a significant risk factor for serious illness and death for COVID-19, particularly when combined with significant underlying health conditions.  There were 29,504 positive test results (cases) notified to 8pm last night – including 11,858 positive rapid antigen tests (RATs) and 17,646 positive PCR tests. VaccinationsAcross NSW, 95.2 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.8 per cent have received two doses to Saturday 15 January. Of people aged 12 to 15, 82.1 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 78.3 per cent have received two doses. Of people aged 5 to 11, 13.1 per cent have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.Everyone who is eligible is encouraged to book into a NSW Health vaccination clinic or another provider without delay through the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are now available for people aged 18 and over who had their second dose at least four months ago. We urge people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible, to best protect themselves, their loved ones and the community from the ongoing transmission of COVID-19.People aged 12 years and over who are severely immunocompromised are recommended to have a third primary dose of vaccine from two months after their second dose.NSW Health vaccination clinics are now administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children aged five to 11 years old. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to make a booking for vaccination at any NSW Health vaccination clinic, at a general practitioner, or a community pharmacy.If you are seeking data, you can search cases by postcode on the NSW Government website.For the most up-to-date COVID information visit http://www.nsw.gov.au  

When Queers on Wheels volunteers delivered food and other essential supplies to those struck by Covid this week – they became the angels of the Lismore LGBTIQ community.Over 30 Queer Family volunteers dropped off hundreds of meals, puzzles, throat lozenges, vitamins and pain meds to people who were stuck at home, bored in isolation, or sick with Covid.Queer Family Inc. is a local charity looking after the lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) community in the Northern Rivers – and according to managing director, Aiden Gentle, everything delivered contained a “good pinch of queer love”.Queer family to the rescueAiden said the need for the home delivery care service became apparent when people in the community started coming down with Covid and were calling out for help on social media.“After the holiday social period of Christmas and events at New Year, people were getting sick, testing positive and asking for help on social media to get paracetamol or groceries,” they said.“We saw their extended circles of friends were also impacted and in the same boat, sick.“It’s not surprising – Covid is a whole of community thing - and we all are affected.”So Aiden, and a bunch of other dedicated volunteers, mostly from Lismore, started cooking up nutritious meals and delivering food and shopping to them.“Queer Family wants to create safe spaces and serve our community, with its many different groups,” Aiden said. “And the queer community is always willing to pitch in and help.“We all become chosen family –and Queer Family does great community care and we work together to look after each other.No resources and networks “When there are younger queers in share houses and one goes down, they all go down. They also need help because they are often disconnected from their biological families.“There is also a degree of poverty and lack of resources as many of them have unstable income, or work in hospitality with no sick leave - they can’t afford to pay for takeaway and delivery.“Some people are immune compromised and others are living alone and quite isolated – but they all need support."Aiden said deliveries of books and puzzles were welcomed by people who were not sick, but had to isolate – and were bored.“Some people just wanted a cup of coffee, and some people started feeling better, then got sick again.“Having someone check in on you is so important.“We had feedback from others who were sick, but don’t need anything – they said they feel better knowing we are there in case they need us.”What is Queer Family?Aiden said Queer Family Inc. has been around for more than two years and is an incorporated, Not For Profit, registered charity, run by volunteers.“A big part of what we do is to help reduce isolation and improve mental health – and create safety and connection,” they said“Normally, we do it event style, but Covid restrictions have made it hard.“We have the networks and resources and can get out into the community to help fast.“In regional areas, queers are often invisible and the Northern Rivers has a visible and vibrant community that attracts others to come and live here.“Tropical Fruits has also been instrumental in its role in developing region the way it has.”Donations neededAs well as a call out for volunteers to cook meal or do deliveries, Queer family has been delivering the helpful service thanks to community donations of food and money. But they still need more to keep it going.“Anyone who can afford to give a donation, we ask them to do so. Not just money, but donations of canned food or staples,” Aiden said.Want to help?If you would like to volunteer or donate, you can visit the Queer Family Facebook page or email  [email protected] are tax deductible, just email for a tax receipt: Queer Family Inc BSB 722 744 Acc 100 134 599

Another 130 new cases of Covid have been reported in Lismore Local Government Area – up on yesterday’s new case total of 92.The local cases are among 812 confirmed new cases reported across LGAs in the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) to 8pm yesterday.Lismore’s 130 is the third highest total of new cases, coming in behind Byron with 162 new cases, and Tweed with 292. New case numbers in other areas are as follows:Ballina 88, Clarence Valley 92, Kyogle 8, Richmond Valley 38, and Tenterfield 2.  There are 54 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 6 of these in ICU.State statistics NSW recorded 25,870 new cases of COVID-19 detected by PCR testing in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.There are currently 2,186 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 170 people in intensive care, 51 of whom require ventilation.NSW Health reported the deaths of 11 people with COVID-19; six women and five men. Seven people were aged in their 80s, three people were aged in their 90s, and one person was aged in their 70s.Of the 11 people who died; nine were vaccinated and two were not vaccinated. RAT results and case numbersAs increasingly people follow NSW Health’s advice to use rapid antigen tests (RAT) for diagnosing COVID-19, the number of PCR tests will underestimate the true number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19.There were 71,325 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 84,333.Read more about the problematic issue of RAT availability locally: Local pharmacy left high and dry as government 'confiscates' Rapid Antigen TestsGet testedNorthern NSW Local Health District is urging people to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.All Northern NSW testing clinics are operating under usual operating hours over the holiday period.Find your closest testing clinic on the NSW Government website or contact your GP.Please book your COVID-19 vaccination, Pfizer vaccines for 5-11 year olds, or booster if you are eligible, at any of the many GPs, Pharmacies and NSW Health clinics in the region.Book today at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.Anyone aged 18 and over is eligible for their booster four months after their second dose. Bookings are recommended to ensure you secure your preferred timeslot.If you are seeking data, you can search cases by postcode on the NSW Government website https://www.nsw.gov.au/covi…/stay-safe/data-and-statistics.

When Scott, a 61 year old pensioner had his housing commission unit broken into last week, he did what anyone would do, and he called the police.The Goonellabah local said he was disappointed by the lack of response he got from local police and is now feeling stressed - and frightened to be in his own home.Read more news: Covid update: Lismore cases numbers up again“I’d gone to a medical appointment and was out for the morning,” he said."When I got home at 1pm, I saw the front door had been jimmied off and my place had been trashed and stuff destroyed and thrown everywhere.“I had money hidden because I’d sold my motorbike for $7,000 and was keeping the money to pay for my health issues."My life savings were stolen."“I rang police and was waiting for ages to get a case number, but was told they didn’t know if they could send anyone up. “I was scared and I’d been told not to touch anything. So I sat on the bath and waited for the police. My blood pressure was rising and I couldn’t find my medication in the mess. “When nothing happened for six hours, I contacted Crime Stoppers and they contacted Lismore Police.Police arrive“At about 9.30pm the police finally arrived and helped me wedge the door shut so I could secure the place.“Then the crime scene investigator came the next morning and took forensics, fingerprints and DNA from a can drink.“But when I rang up the next day to give them a list of stolen items, I was told the case had been closed already.“I got the feeling from police that I would just have to put up with it. They said ‘even if we catch them, they won’t get prosecuted’.“I was told things like, ‘if you are in a housing commission unit, you shouldn’t have any money here’.Witnesses?“My neighbor said she heard something in my flat, but thought I was rearranging furniture. “Other residents don’t want to get involved because they are frightened.“I know there are undesirable people living in the unit above, selling drugs and things into the night.“A friend of theirs slept in the car park here and saw me go out Tuesday morning – and I even have the rego number of the car involved.Housing commission“This housing commission complex is supposed to be an over 50s place and there are young people living here. “When I contacted the housing providers about it, they said maybe in about three years I can get a transfer to another place.“I don’t want to be treated like this and I want to know why didn’t the police follow through? “The woman on the police phone said they were busy with Covid.”Richmond District Police Superintendent Scott Tanner.Police responseThe Lismore App contacted Richmond District Police Superintendent Scott Tanner about the situation. Supt Tanner said it was untrue that the case was closed.  “The matter is still under investigation and we have forensic evidence retrieved from the property,” he said.“We take all reports of crime seriously. When we spoke to the man, it appeared he was happy with the police response.“Police procedure is to check any CCTV footage and canvas neighborhoods for witnesses and look at suspect patterns of behavior that may lead us to the perpetrators.“Covid has not impacted on police ability to meet community demands and we have plenty of police and contingencies in place to make sure they are always available.”

When a Lismore local wasn’t feeling too well, he went to his local Chempro pharmacy to buy a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). He was dismayed to be told by pharmacy staff, that there were none were available. He was doubly dismayed to be told that it was because the government had “rescinded” the chemist’s order of RATs, so it could distribute them to the community itself.Read more local news: Pensioner devastated by local police response to home break-in To add to his growing concerns, he had already tried to get a PCR test at Lismore Base Hospital the previous afternoon, but gave up and went home as the line up was so long. He said people were even sitting on the ground reading books while they waited. Just like many other Lismore locals who are following health advice to get tested if they feel unwell, he found the lack of test availability was making it difficult. Investigation The Lismore App investigated the matter of the RAT supply and contacted Chempro at Lismore Central Shopping Centre. Brian, the chief pharmacist said the Lismore store was one of 130 Chempro pharmacies in the chain affected by the cancellation of the order. “We were told via an email that the whole shipment of over 50,000 RATs was confiscated by the government,” he said. “Our store would have received about 500 of them on Friday. “We were told they wouldn’t be allowed to be released into the pharmacies so we could distribute them to the general public. “We are not sure what will happen now and we have put in orders from other wholesalers, but we’re not sure what will happen with that.  “If the government really wants to get these tests to the community quickly, the pharmacy is the quickest way to do it. “How else will they be able to distribute them to individuals? They would need Australia Post and people’s addresses.” Where have the RATs gone? The Lismore App contacted our State and Federal Government representatives to find out just what the government has planned for RAT distribution. State Member Janelle Saffin said she has been asking the NSW government for some time about how tests can be provided to the community. “I still haven’t seen a plan,” she said. “Pandemic requires planning I still have not seen a plan about how to distribute them, and they should be free.” The Lismore App also contacted Federal representative Kevin Hogan and was told by his office that they are seeking advice on the issue.  The Lismore App also checked with other local pharmacies to see if the same issue had happened to them.We rang Blooms Chemist and was told they had some RATs on order. Brands chemist also had some on order, but was not sure if the order has been intervened or not. Local smells a ratBack to the Lismore App reader (who wishes to remain anonymous) who alerted us to the issue.Now at home, he said he eventually returned to Lismore Base Hospital and successfully got a PCR test done. Now he has to wait five days for the results. “I’m feeling ok,” he said. “I was a bit snuffly and had a cranky throat , but I wasn’t sure if it was because the grasses are in flower and it is a allergy reaction.“Normally, I wouldn’t think twice about it, but in this environment – we’ve been told to check out everything.“If a chemist had a test available I would have done that,” he said. “I’m double vaxxed with a booster, so I assume that if I get Covid, it will be a mild dose, but it doesn’t stop me being able to infect others.“That’s why I got tested. I’m not concerned about myself, but about passing it to others.Covid testing numbers“I don’t understand the dance of the Federal Government in managing the Covid tests. “They can’t keep the count of actual Covid results with the home tests."Victoria had people report their home test results long before NSW asked people to do it.“Now, we don’t have a clear idea of true numbers of positive Covid cases."The Lismore App will keep you updated on this issue as more information comes to light.

As another 92 cases of Covid were reported overnight in the Lismore Local Government Area, more empty spaces are appearing on the shelves in local supermarkets.While we are all learning to live with a spreading virus, last year’s panic buying seems to have turned into a preemptive strike - as locals prepare for the possibility of getting sick, or having to isolate for a week.As well as meat shortages already reported by large supermarket chains (due to supply chain issues), a trip to the supermarket by the Lismore App resulted in seeing spaces on the pet food and toilet paper shelves.People are making sure their animals will be fed and toilets are well stocked.Local district totalsThe new cases in Lismore add to a new daily total of 778 across the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).Across our LGAs, the breakdown of new case numbers is as follows:Ballina 107, Byron Shire 208, Clarence Valley 88, Kyogle 12, Richmond Valley 36, Tweed Heads 234 and Tenterfield 1.NNSWLHD reported that Tenterfield is in a different Local Health District, but postcodes put cases in NNSWLHD.There are 49 Covid positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 6 of these in ICU.State statisticsAcross the State, NSW recorded 20,293 new cases of COVID-19 detected by PCR testing in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.The number of Covid cases is likely to be greater than that however, as increasingly people follow NSW Health’s advice to use rapid antigen tests for diagnosing COVID-19.This means that the number of PCR tests as reported will underestimate the true number of people across the State who have tested positive for COVID-19.There were 84,333 Covid tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 98,986.NSW Health is reporting the deaths of 18 people; six women, 11 men, and a child aged under five.Of the six women and 11 men, one was aged in their 30s, three were aged in their 60s, four were aged in their 70s, seven were aged in their 80s and two were aged in their 90s.There are currently 2,030 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 159 people in intensive care, 47 of whom require ventilation.Covid symptomsPeople are at risk of developing COVID-19 for 14 days after they were last in contact with a COVID-positive person, so it is important to take precautions during this time.While most people will become positive within the first week after exposure, around a quarter of people exposed to COVID-19 will develop their infection in the following seven days.If you have had a high-risk interaction with someone who has COVID-19, it is important to exercise caution and avoid high-risk settings and large indoor gatherings for 14 days after you last had contact with them.Get testedNorthern NSW Local Health District is urging people to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.All Northern NSW hospital testing clinics are open over the holiday period.Clinics run by other providers may have different hours in the holiday period, so please check before attending: https://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/about/covid-19-clinic-information/Find your closest testing clinic on the NSW Government website or contact your GP.Rapid antigen testing can be an additional precaution that you can take if you are planning to socialise with large groups of people, particularly indoors, or interacting with people who are elderly or have serious health conditions.Information on how to use rapid antigen tests is available on the NSW Government website.Book your COVID-19 vaccination, or booster if you are eligible, at any of the many GPs, pharmacies and NSW Health clinics in the region. To book, head to https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covid-19-vaccine-clinic-finder

Yesterday, the Lismore App reported on how Covid was detected in a local high school and today, a local gallery closes after a visit from a Covid positive personSo it's no probably surprise that the local health authorities are reporting 4 new cases of Covid in Lismore Local Government Area (LGA) over the past 24 hours.In total, 26 new cases were reported across the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).The breakdown of Covid cases across other LGAs in the district is: 21 in Byron, 4 in Tweed, 1 in Clarence Valley.There are five COVID-positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW.Testing numbers increaseAcross the District, 16,952 COVID-19 tests were reported in the seven days to Friday 17 December. This is a significant increase compared to the previous seven-day totals of 9,381 tests.After yesterday's line-up at the drive through Covid testing clinic on Dawson Street extended all the way down the road to the Uralba Street lookout, it's likely we will expect to see testing numbers statistics rise significantly in future too. Read more about the incident: Parents told to test after Covid reported in local high school Get testedHealth authorities are urging people to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.Venues of concern in Northern NSW can be found at: https://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/venues-of-concern/Authorities are also urging people to book a COVID-19 vaccination, or booster if you are eligible, at any of the many GPs, Pharmacies and NSW Health clinics in the region.You can find your closest clinic at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.Anyone aged 18 and over is eligible for their booster five months after their second dose. Bookings are recommended to ensure you secure your preferred timeslot.We urge anyone in Northern NSW who develops symptoms such as a runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat, or is generally feeling unwell, to get tested and isolate immediately, even if you are fully vaccinated.There are more than 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. Find a clinic on the NSW Government website or contact your GP.

The Eltham Village Gallery has closed its doors today after being visited by a Covid positive person.Read today's Covid update: More Covid reported cases in Lismore as testing numbers increaseIn a post on the gallery's Facebook page, staff wrote that the gallery had been notified that a customer who attended the weekend exhibition had received a positive result from an at-home test."This person attended the Gallery on Friday Evening and Monday morning," the post said."They are waiting on the results of a PCR test and we are getting tested ourselves."We will update on the outcome as soon as possible."Of course this means the current exhibition will be closed."The future of when the gallery and exhibition will reopen remains to be decided, depending on the results of the staff Covid tests.

As they finished packing 100 Christmas hampers and 200 toy bags for struggling local families, this year’s Salvation Army (Salvos) volunteers in Goonellabah were exhausted, but happy to be of service to the community.Salvos Captain Phillip Sutcliffe said the hampers were ready in time to be collected by parents before school finished - just in time for them to wrap toys at home and keep the pressies a secret from their kids.“The hampers are a wonderful thing for us to distribute – and filled with donated goods that people put under the wishing tree at Kmart,” Cpt Sutcliffe said.As well giving out 200 bags full of donated toys for the kids, the 100 food hampers were filled with donated treats to make Christmas day a happy for struggling families. From pudding, custard and shortbread – to staples like rice and pasta.“We’ve had some generous donations of gifts for teenagers this year,” Cpt Sutcliffe said “There’s movie vouchers and gift cards to EB games.In the toy bags for younger kids up to the ages of 13, there’s stocking fillers and one main present.Massive demand“This year we had more requests for assistance than ever before.“About 35% of the people who have asked for help are brand new and have never had to ask for assistance before.“That’s a massive increase around here. Usually, we only get about 8-10% new enquiries.“We keep working with families all year long to provide ongoing assistance and education.Rent crisis and Covid“The rental crisis, the cost of living and getting around are a massive part of what’s causing this.“People who are on government benefits that are not increasing, are finding the money doesn’t go so far.“Covid hit people hard during the last year. When the government was providing extra assistance, it was a huge help and they got used to living on a larger amount of money. But now, it’s much harder for them.”More presents always neededCpt Sutcliffe said any more toys that are donated between now and Christmas will go into storage and be used for next year’s hampers.“It’s a nice cycle that keeps going,” he said. “If anyone wants to donate toys, please keep putting them under the wishing tree.”To find out more about the Salvos, to volunteer or to donate, visit https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/northernrivers/

Parents of children attending Richmond River High School have received emails directing them to get a Covid test - after a member of the school community tested positive for Covid-19. The letters, signed by the school’s Principal, were sent to parents of children in Year 7, 10 and 11, informing them that they may be casual contacts of the confirmed Covid case if they were at school on December 13 or 14. Read more Covid news: New Covid cases in Lismore and one venue of concern in ByronA double-vaccinated parent (who wished not to be named) with a vaccinated child in one of the affected Year 7 classes spoke to the Lismore App said she received the letters on Saturday.She said she was informed that as a potential casual contact, she and her children were required to “immediately get a nose and throat (PCR) test and to self-isolate until they receive a negative result”.“So, I just followed the orders and we went to the drive through testing clinic and got a test,” she said. “We are still waiting for the results.“The line up at the Dawson Street drive through testing clinic was so long it’s affecting traffic trying to turn onto the Uralba Street roundabout.“The staff at the clinic are very efficient – and they are working in full PPE gear in this hot weather.“They are doing such a great job.“This is the first time I’ve been a casual contact – we’ve been really lucky so far.Christmas“But it’s important that we get tested before Christmas. “I bought rapid antigen tests for the family members too – as we are about to go away for Christmas and it’s important that we don’t spread the virus to vulnerable people and see our hospital system overrun.“We are living with Covid and this is life now and this is what we will all need to do.”The letterThe letter to parents also stated that “COVID-19 transmission in school communities has been high due to the close interactions that children and young people have with each other”.  “This is particularly so with the new Omicron variant of concern, which on early information is demonstrating a 10-fold increase in transmission.  “Most people who have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 will test positive within the first 7 days of exposure, with some still likely to transmit for up to 14 days.  “There are around 9% of children who will transmit to other children, with about a third of these during the second week following exposure.“It is therefore recommended that, as a contact of a person with COVID-19 you should consider your personal and family circumstances and those you may come into contact with in managing the risks associated with potential transmission. “You should avoid high risk settings (health care, aged care, correctional facilities) where possible, and take extra precautions around vulnerable people including family members, for 14 days after your last exposure.  “You should also have another nose and throat (PCR) test six days after exposure."You should also consider undertaking a rapid antigen test before family functions or visiting vulnerable family or friends to minimise the risk of transmission."Buying rapid antigen testsIf you want to make sure you are not potentially spreading Covid to family members, you can now buy rapid antigen self-tests at pharmacies, supermarkets, and other retail outlets. A pack of five tests can cost about $50 from pharmacies. The NSW Government advice regarding rapid antigen tests is that are a faster way to test for COVID-19 than traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. But, "they do not replace a PCR test. A PCR test is still the most accurate and reliable test to detect and diagnose COVID-19”.Further advice about rapid antigen tests states “a positive self-test result means that the test detected the virus, and you are very likely to have an infection and should stay home or isolate for 10 days, wear a mask if you could have contact with others, and avoid indoor gatherings to reduce the risk of spreading disease to someone else.“A negative self-test result means that the test did not detect the virus and you may not have an infection, but it does not rule out infection. Repeating the test within a few days, with at least 24 hours between tests, will increase the confidence that you are not infected.”

As Christmas approaches, Covid case numbers continue to rise across the region – with 4 new cases reported in Lismore Local Government Area– and 34 new cases in total across the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).In Byron LGA, 24 new cases of Covid were reported and the Byron Beach Hotel has been named as a new venue of concern.Anyone who attended the hotel on Tuesday 14 December 2021, from 12pm to 10pm listed must immediately get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result, even if fully vaccinated or feel well. Please refer to the guidelines for casual contacts on the NSW Health website: Casual contacts of COVID-19 - Fact sheets (nsw.gov.au) Across the health district, 4 new Covid cases were ported in Ballina LGA, 4 in Tweed and I in Clarence Valley.There are 5 COVID-positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW. NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones is urging people to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.  “We urge anyone in Northern NSW who develops symptoms such as a runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat, or is generally feeling unwell, to get tested and isolate immediately, even if you are fully vaccinated,” he said.Mr Jones is also urging people to book their COVID-19 vaccination, or booster if you are eligible, at any of the many GPs, Pharmacies and NSW Health clinics in the region. You can find your closest clinic at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.  Anyone aged 18 and over is eligible for their booster five months after their second dose. Bookings are recommended to ensure you secure your preferred timeslot. 

When Buckley sisters Sarah and Molly rock up onto the stage tomorrow for Carols the Heart, it will be a coming home for them. The sisters grew up here and the Christmas concert will be their first live performance in their home town after touring Australia and the United States for ten years.“We’re looking forward to performing and bringing life back to Lismore,” Molly said. “It will be fun and we’ll get to see old friends.”Not new to singing Christmas carols, the sisters grew up in a musical family and used to perform a Rockabilly Christmas show in the family band with their dad on drums. “We love carols and spicing up songs with a bit of 1940s glamour mixed with a rockabilly feel,” Sarah said.“We just put our first Christmas single ‘Boogie Woogie Santa Claus’ and it was recorded with a 1940s arrangement - half in Nashville with the brass section there and half here at home.“We’ll be playing it tomorrow and make sure everyone gets up dancing and singing.“We want to make sure people have a great night out and feel good,” Molly said.“We all haven’t been able to dance and sing for ages, so let’s make the most out of it and get back into it.”Despite the Covid lockdown, the girls haven’t stopped playing music – filling their time with writing songs, performing online concerts from home – and recording their first album ‘Daydream’.“It was pretty wild when Covid started in 2020,” Sarah said. “Our home concerts streamed round the world in many countries and we did a TV live stream event for the release of our debut album.“We’ve been busy - everything moving by, but not physically going anywhere.“Now, we are grateful to able to do that bring our mix of country, and indie rock music to everyone around. “It’s great to be back on live shows now and start off with a home show.”You can see them perform at the 2021 Shopbaby's Carols in the Heart at Riverside Park between 5pm and 8pm this Saturday.

Today, another nine new cases of Covid were reported in the Lismore Local Government Area. These were among the 96 new cases reported in the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).None of the cases are the Omicron variant and there is now one COVID-positive patient in hospital in Northern NSW. Of the 96 new cases across LGAs, 57 are in Byron, 18 in Ballina, 8 in Tweed and 4 in Clarence Valley.NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones said the most common locations for transmission of COVID-19 in our region continue to be pubs, parties and gatherings in indoor spaces.  “We encourage people to celebrate the end of year outdoors where possible, and to stay home if you are unwell, get a test, and isolate until a negative result is received,” he said.Hospital restrictionsWith increasing transmission rates across NSW, hospitals and health facilities within Northern NSW Local Health District are now restricting all visitors.  Women accessing birthing services can continue to nominate one support person (participant in care) during her labour, birth and post-birth.Local exemptions will be considered on a case by cases basis by site management, and consideration will be given to compassionate and palliative care circumstances.  You can also find information about visitor restrictions on our website at: https://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/about/important-updates-for-visitors/ Updated advice for people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 Updates have been made to fact sheets following the easing of restrictions:• Close contacts of COVID-19 (nsw.gov.au) • Confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 • Casual contacts are no longer identified. Mr Jones said NSW Health is evolving contact tracing and is prioritising case interviews and detailed follow up with people diagnosed with COVID-19 who have been to a place where there are people at high risk of severe disease, such as in healthcare, aged care, disability care, Aboriginal people and communities, and correctional facilities. He said the updated fact sheets advise cases and close contacts of what steps they need to follow, including advice to prompt their social contacts to be tested. Exposure risk assessments in all other settings, like workplaces, are managed by those venues directly. Step-by-step instructions for businesses can be found via the NSW Health website.Please book your COVID-19 vaccination, or booster if you are eligible, at any of the many GPs, Pharmacies and NSW Health clinics in the region. You can find your closest clinic at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.  

As the cost of local housing skyrockets into unaffordability, finding ways to create more housing stock and make sure key workers can still live locally was at the heart of a regional exploration tour today by Landcom boss, John Brogden.As the CEO of the NSW Government’s housing organisation, Mr Brogden has teamed up with State MP Janelle Saffin, local Councils and community housing providers to find solutions to a problem that he said “is not going to solve itself without interventions”.“We have a big issue in Northern NSW,” Mr Brogden said.“Right now we’ve seen a considerable increase in existing house prices and it’s pushing people out of the market who are key workers, like teachers, nurses, cleaners and people who work in coffee shops. We also have mums over 55 in housing distress, living in cars and caravans.“It’s gotten worse quickly and it will get worse as tourists come back. Unless we want coffee to be $15 a cup, we need to address this.“People want to be able to age here. Now even the Sydneysiders’ dream of living in a more affordable regional area is jeopardised by the enormous cost of housing.”PartnershipsThe key to making change, according to MP Saffin, is creating partnerships with all people who have housing in their portfolios – and addressing the barriers that slow down the processes of building more housing stock.Mr Brogden said Landcom’s role is developing out land and providing land supply - but also providing it affordably and sustainably while working with locals leaders. By 2024, 20% of its housing will be affordable housing.While the housing issue is a complex one and there are no quick fixes for the people in housing distress now, Mr Brogden said the will of Councils, government and community organisations to join together to make change is there. State Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said the issue affects every electorate and “every little bit helps if we work together as a team”.How might the partnerships work?As the housing heavyweights prepared to embark on a tour of potential local housing sites in the region Mr Brogden said he was keen to demonstrate how it will work. “Council’s know which land is available – and Landcom might put money in with a piece of council land and work with local community housing provider who can access money from the federal government through housing finance corp,” he said.“We put in our development skills, council provides the land and community housing provides the expertise and extra funding. We also want to work with community organisations like RSLs.“We also have the opportunity to use surplus state government land.”Challenges While the task may seem difficult, Mr Brogden said “every little thing makes a difference”.“One challenge is that we need a workforce here to build houses and they are busy already – so how do we access these skills?“We need to identify community groups we can work with and Councils need to speed up the development approval process.”Land bankingMs Saffin said another challenge was land banking – where people buy land and keep it without developing it. She said she had brought the issue up with the Regional taskforce for the government to consider it.Council challengesMr Provest said when it comes to the work that Councils are able to do, the “whole planning process needs to be overhauled”.“Council can’t afford the infrastructure costs of water and sewage,” he said. “And now, electricity providers want upfront fees for before land is developed. We need to alleviate the costs involved.“In Tweed, the fees we get for processing DAs don’t match the cost of developing – they haven’t changed in over a decade. “It also got worse last week when IPART released the rate peggings.“Some of the DAs takes 3 to 6 months to get a house approved, and in Queensland, it takes 28 days.”Symbolic“Today was symbolic,” Mr Provest said. “With John’s leadership and working with Janelle, we can work together to alleviate this problem and take some of the pressure off councils.”

Making sure your four year old can see properly is one of the important steps needed before starting school.Vision screening is a key step for children ahead of starting school, to ensure they are off to the best start possible as they transmission into the classroom. That's why the StEPS program is running catch up clinics throughout January - in Goonellabah and across Northern NSW - for four year old children heading to school in 2022. StEPS (State-wide Eyesight Preschooler Screening) is a free program designed to identify childhood vision problems which cannot be detected by observation, family history or vision surveillance.  A StEPS assessment with a trained vision screening nurse is the best way to detect eye problems at an early age, with the aim of avoiding preventable vision impairment or blindness later in life. Children are particularly at risk of suffering from undetected vision problems because they may not realise they can’t see well, and may not complain of eye problems. The earlier a problem is detected, the more likely it is that it can be corrected. Given the disruptions to early childhood learning as part of the COVID response throughout the year, not all local preschools have been able to accommodate the screening program as part of their regular schedules this year. The catch up clinics are for any four-year old children who will be starting school in 2022. To book your child’s free vision screening, call (02) 6620 2836 before 4pm on 23 December 2021.  

To their delight, a sea of faces greeted Bruce and Bev Supple when they walked outside their Goonellabah home on Wednesday night.Their annual Christmas light show at Grevillea Grove drew one of the largest crowds they’d seen since the Covid epidemic began – and they loved it.“It’s been humungous,” Bruce laughed. “The grass is trodden out the front.“Since last Saturday, it’s hyped up – people tell others and then lots do a drive by, and some walk by to see it. We are expecting it to get really busy this weekend.”If you still haven’t taken a drive down Grevillea Grove in Goonellabah to see the annual Christmas light show, put it on your bucket list now.There’s the waterfall that cascades down the roof onto the lawn – turning into a stream and lagoon that reindeer drink from. There’s kangaroos, and Santa on a bicycle – and even a Santa snow mailbox.After 43 years of putting on an annual light show, Bruce said he can’t just keep it the same – and he’s added in even more lights this year.It takes so long to put them all up, that the couple start getting ready for it in October.“Thank goodness we did because we had a heap of rain and storms,” Bruce said. “So we made the displays up out the back while the rain was happening, otherwise we wouldn’t have commenced on December 1.“The storms blew the displays over and there were and wires everywhere, so we couldn’t light up that night. But we stood it all back up and the next day got it ship shape.”For Bruce and Bev, working as a team and taking the time to set up the display is a labour of love.“It’s great to bring cheer and enjoyment to people,” Brice said. “Not only the little ones - its right through all ages.“I’ve been handing out lolly pops to kids again this year. But there’s still no Santa Claus appearances – like before Covid. We didn’t want to risk it yet.“It’s been so good to see it after the last two years where everyone been through so much disappointment. But now we can give a little back.”If you want to see the lights, the final day they will be lit up is December 26 – Boxing Day.The Lismore App has a listing of Christmas lights show in the area, so if you have lights at your place, please let us know by emailing simon@lismoreapp and send us a photo!See the Lismore App’s Christmas lights location listings in our Christmas section: ChristmasRead more about their amazing light show in previous years: Bruce and Bev make Grevillea Grove a sparkling Christmas lights wonderland