WAGGA'S leaders have shut down suggestions about closing the city to outsiders in wake of the worldwide coronavirus crisis.
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As of Tuesday afternoon, one case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the Murrumbidgee district with state and federal governments passing down regulations to slow the spread of the disease including the closure of non-essential services, as well as international and some state borders.
Wagga mayor Greg Conkey said the council will not entertain the idea of closing the city to people needing to enter as they work on its response to the constantly evolving pandemic.
His comments followed emails received by the council that Cr Conkey said suggested a lock down of Wagga.
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Cr Conkey said the city has a responsibility as the region's capital to provide services that are not available in region's smaller communities.
"We need to mitigate the impact of this on this city in every way we can, but (closing Wagga) is not one way of doing it," Cr Conkey said.
"We are a very generous community and have proven that time-and-time again. We need to open our hearts and wallets to assist those who will be struggling as a result of this (pandemic)".
Committee 4 Wagga chief executive Alan Johnston said the suggestion would be "extremely unfair and unpopular" in the efforts to build community spirit.
"We are a community and that extends beyond the 60 kilometre boundary of the city and what is practical and enforceable is another point," he said.
Wagga council has already formed a group of business and industry leaders to discuss practical measures to aid businesses in need and reduce the economic impact on the city.
"We need to work together to keep businesses moving and bring them out the other end ... when we do get to see light at the other end of the tunnel," Mr Johnston said.
Another taskforce has been formed, with a focus on the city's social fabric and finding ways the council could assist other groups.
Cr Conkey said the council has "the manpower" that might assist organisations combating the social side of the situation.
He also urged those struggling to make council payments to contact the organisation where it could be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
"This is not going to go away ... it is going to be many, many months and the impact will be enormous, but we as a community can get around it," he said.