A meeting of the Armidale Farmer's Market organisers and members of Armidale Rotary AM on Monday morning decided to cancel the markets until further notice due to federal government social distancing restrictions now being enforced.
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AM president Sam Doyle said it was all about keeping the community safe.
"On the strict advice of the government to stay at home and limit the gatherings to no more than two people, we felt the restrictions obviously needed to be adhered to," he said.
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"Despite the fact that the growers are seen as an essential service, we still thought there seemed to be a risk of people passing on the disease by putting on the markets.
"Then there are the fines. There are minimum $1000, on the spot fines if people aren't complying and police have been very strict on that, and rightly so."
He said that there was a positive COVID-19 case within the Armidale area also played a big part in their decision.
"It's a significant risk for community transmission because we now don't know what further cases may be out there," he said.
"Then there was the Rotary Club itself. There were no volunteers who could actually go out and run the markets themselves because just about all of them are self isolating at home.
"A lot of our members are over the age of 60-years-old and want to stay safe."
While Sam's Rotary members may be in voluntary isolation, there may be a time when you are required to do so by law. You must self-isolate if:
- you have COVID-19
- you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19
- you arrived in Australia after midnight on 15 March 2020.
If you feel unwell or were asked to self-isolate, use personal transport, such as a car, to get home and minimise contact with others.
You must go straight home. Do not go to the shops, even to buy food, medicine or groceries. Organise for family or friends to buy supplies for you or order them online for delivery. If you need support contact your local state or territory health departments.
If you need to use public transport (taxis, ride-hail services, trains, buses and trams) wear a surgical mask, if available, cover your cough and sneezes and if possible, stay more than 1.5 metres away from people.
If you are self-isolating to protect others or yourself, the government has funded services to help you see your doctor, and get your medicines to your home.
Prescription medication can be delivered from your regular pharmacy through the Home Medicines Service.
Each delivery through this service must include at least one medication on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
If you want more than one delivery per month, your pharmacy may charge a fee.
You can also access bulk-billed telehealth services from your doctor, nurse or mental health professional via phone or video-conference.
It is a temporary measure expected to end on September 30 2020.
Your doctor can also give you a prescription via telehealth by creating a legal, paper prescription, and also a digital copy.
You then have two options to fill the prescription. Your doctor sends the digital copy to your pharmacist, or to you. If it comes to you, you then send it to your pharmacy by email or text.
Either way, the doctor must send the paper copy to the pharmacy within 15 days.
If you already have a paper prescription or repeat at home, you can send a digital copy to your pharmacy and they can fill it. Remember, the photo of the PDF must be clear enough for the pharmacy to be able to scan the barcode (if applicable).
You must send them the paper copy within 15 days.
For home delivery of medicines it's always wise to call your pharmacy and check they have your medicine in stock and can deliver it.
Once the pharmacy has received the digital copy, they can deliver it the address on the prescription, so it always pays to make sure your doctor and pharmacist have your correct address.
Most medicines can be supplied this way and your doctor should tell you if your medication is restricted.
