Federation mayor Patrick Bourke has appealed to residents in his shire, which equals the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the Border region with Albury, to stay at home.
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Cr Bourke said it was deeply concerning that Federation had as many cases as Albury, which has a higher population density, but understood they were all acquired through travel or contact with a confirmed case.
"There's a glimmer of hope we're containing it within travel, but time will tell if that happens," he said.
"It's very serious and I can appreciate where the government is at.
"I can see the struggle between the economy and the virus, but I believe we've got to deal with the virus first.
"While we've got too much activity happening, we're not going to control it.
"That's been really worrying me; the council certainly put a lot of things in place with our staff and I look at that and think the community need to be on the ball as well, and be given good information.
"We have to make the pain as short a possible."
Cr Bourke said the majority of people were doing the right thing, by not leaving the home and practising social distancing, but that he was aware of people having barbecues and social gatherings at their homes recently.
"There's a minority who are having gatherings, and we need to stop that," he said.
"It is time for our community to really unite and respect social distancing measures that have been put in place by the federal government.
"Please follow the advice of authorities when it comes to staying home and avoid any unnecessary trips and visits.
"If you are one of the small few that haven't changed your lifestyle, and you are not taking this pandemic seriously, you are letting your loved ones and your community down.
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"You only have to see the current state of other countries to know that if we do not all collectively do our bit, then the possibility of losing people we love and care for in our communities is very real, and in large numbers."
Cr Bourke said many people across Federation Shire had lost their jobs and the agricultural sector had the double-whammy of job losses and chemical shortages coming up to cropping season.
"[The chemical shortage] started with the Chinese New Year and that was prolonged by the coronavirus," he said.
"There's a lot of people being laid off and that's happening in agricultural sectors as well.
"It's really sad and it's hard, but we've got to get on top of this virus as quickly a we can."
Council's April meeting will still proceed thanks to legislative changes by the NSW Government that will allow Councillors and staff to meet via video conference where possible.
