Information for Community Members re COVID-19
If you have cold or flu like symptoms, such as a cough, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath or runny nose, even if these are mild, you should get tested for COVID-19 ASAP and stay at home until you receive a negative result. Please do not attend a medical service without ringing ahead to ensure appropriate COVID-safe arrangements can be made. Testing at public COVID-19 clinics is free, quick and easy. No Medicare card is required. Most people in NSW receive their test results within 24 hours.
General Information
- Restrictions for Greater Sydney
- Authorised Workers
- Restrictions for Regional & Rural NSW
- Info for Targeted Earlier Intervention service providers
- Face Mask Rules
- NSW Case Locations
- Testing Requirements for Greater Sydney workers
- Find a Testing Clinic
- Getting vaccinated
- Information for people with disability about COVID-19 vaccines
- Stay at Home Order available in 60 languages
Australian Goverment Department of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) current situation and case numbers - in Australia and across the world.
Blue Mountains City Council Community Safety Coronavirus (COVID-19) - service delivery arrangements, updates, closures, etc.
Apps
Service NSW COVID Safe Check-in app - use to scan QR codes when checking in and out of venues/shops/businesses. Download in the Apple App Store or Google Play
NSW School Updates app - allows parents and carers to receive operational status updates for NSW public schools. Download in the Apple App Store or Google Play
Financial Support
2021 COVID-19 Support Package for Individuals & Businesses
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment - NSW
Blue Mountains No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) - Interest-free loans for individuals or families on low income. It’s a community-based program that enables people to access fair, safe and equitable credit for the purchase of goods and services. Available through the Lower Mountains Neighbourhood Centre 4739 1164, Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre 4754 4050, Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre on 4787 7770, or Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre 4759 2592.
Wesley Emergency Relief - available to help people experiencing financial distress or hardhip and who have limited means or resources to help alleviate their financial crisis. Call 1300 827 638.
National Debt Helpline - free service providing confidential advice by Financial Counselling Australia. Call 1800 007 007.
Dealing with the financial impact of being out of work - advice from Beyond Blue - 1800 512 348
COVID-19 making financial decisions - information and resources from moneysmart.gov.au.
Free advice for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 - Western Sydney Business Centre will provide advice over the phone or via online Skype sessions at no cost.
Local Food Services
Blue Mountains General
Blue Mountains Menus - Facebook group where local restaurants, cafes, eateries, etc can post and promote their menus, offers and deals available for takeaway and/or delivery.
Meals on Wheels Blue Mountains - for NDIS participants and registered My Aged Care persons struggling with food. Nutritious frozen meals are delivered weekly to your door. We also delivery salads, sandwiches and fresh scones with jam and cream from our Cafe (Ben Roberts Cafe Lawson). Delivery days are from Tuesday to Friday, depending on your area. Call us on 4759 2811.
Emergency Food Boxes - Seniors and people with disabilities in the Blue Mountains who are self-isolating due to COVID-19, and have no access to essential supplies, can receive Emergency Food Boxes thanks to a partnership between the Blue Mountains City Council and the Rapid Relief Team. Contact Council at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 4723 5000 (Lower Mountains) or 4780 5000 (Upper Mountains).
Food Boxes - emergency food supplies to people & families in need through the Blue Mountains Police Area Command with assisatnce from the Rapid Relief Team.. Each box contains a variety of non-perishable, long-life food, has grown to support people affected by COVID-19, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, and those in crisis. One Food Box can last a family of four for up to 48 hours, giving them time and space to find sustainable, ongoing support. If you, or a family or friend, are in need of some immediate support, please contact Chief Inspector Garry Sims APM by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. (All emails will be treated in strict confidence). Alternatively, in cases of extreme emergency, contact Springwood Police Station on 4751 0299 or Katoomba Police Station on 4782 8199 and leave your details with us.
Lower Mountains
Fresh Fruit & Veg - every Wednesday 12.30 to 1 pm from Blaxland Gospel Chapel, 36 Rusden Road, Blaxland, for anyone struggling to put food on the table. No questions asked.
Food Hampers - If you or someone you know is in need of a food hamper please don’t hesitate to give us a call Monday – Friday 9am-4pm. Belong Blue Mountains - Lower Mountains 4739 1164. While our drop-in hours may have changed our service hours have not.
Food Hampers - for those facing financial difficulties. Open 9.30am to 4pm Tues/Thurs (closed 12.30 to 1.30pm) and 9.30am to 12.30pm Fri at Gateway Family Services, 70 Old Bathurst Rd, Blaxland. Please phone ahead 4720 6500 so we can pre-pack your food hampers and for those who attend our premises to scan the QR code at our front door and wear a mask.
Fresh Food Program, Food Parcels, Frozen Food Program, Friday Food Program & Food Vouchers - available to those in need via Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre, 62 White Cross Road, Winmalee.
Community Food Help Parcels - available to those in need via Springwood Neighbourhood Centre, leave a message on 4751 3033 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mid Mountains
Food Hampers - If you or someone you know is in need of a food hamper please don’t hesitate to give us a call Monday – Friday 9am-4pm. Belong Blue Mountains - Mid Mountains 4759 2592. While our drop-in hours may have changed our service hours have not.
Upper Mountains
Food Hampers - If you or someone you know is in need of a food hamper please don’t hesitate to give us a call Monday – Friday 9am-4pm. Belong Blue Mountains - Katoomba 4782 1117. While our drop-in hours may have changed our service hours have not.
Lockdown Food Solutions - Cornerstone Community Care Katoomba is providing food solutions at the Lighthouse Church, 126 Victoria Street, Katoomba,at 12 noon every Wednesday. Drive though will be operating, we ask that you all stay in your car's to abide by regulations, if your coming on foot please speak to the traffic control officer who will direct you.
Emergency Food Hampers - non-perishable food items and toiletries available to people experiencing hardship. These are delivered to your door and have been donated by Blue Mountains community members, Amelia at Blackheath Laundrette, The Blackheath/Mt Vic RFS, Michael at the Friendly Grocer, and pre-packed hampers from Katoomba Police via the Rapid Response Team. Call Blackheath Neighbourhood Centre on 4787 7770.
The Heathens Choir Soup Packs - Soup packs with fresh vegetables, legumes, stock, and the printed-out recipe, are available to people experiencing hardship thanks to the generous members of BANCs Heathens Choir. Delivered to your door. Call Blackheath Neighbourhood Centre on 4787 7770.
Lithgow
Meals on Wheels LIthgow - provided through the Lithgow Information & Neighbourhood Centre and extended to anyone who may need some assistance as an interim measure. Call LINC on 6352 2077.
Penrith / Nepean
Reach Out Penrith - 1/5 Coombes Dr, Penrith from 10 am. Call 0452 457 945. Cash only $30 hampers, view produce on Facebook. Park in car park, pay out front, team member brings produce to your car.
Nepean Food services - 02 4733 7200. For aged residents of the Penrith LGA. Call to register, must be over 65, receiving a pension, home to accept delivery, covid safe delivery of meals. Monday to Friday 9.30am-11.30 am.