Alyssa Fritzlaff
VICTORIA’S COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar joined others from the local and state response team for an online community forum on Thursday night.
Residents from Latrobe Valley and the Baw Baw Shire were invited to attend, and Latrobe Health Assembly’s chair Tanya Rong led the meeting.
Locals had the opportunity to take part in a question and answer session.
There was no shortage of questions, with many focusing on exposure site processes, vaccination requirements, booster shots and testing wait times.
Concerns emerged surrounding financial support for those in quarantine, with healthcare experts suggesting those in need of assistance call the COVID-19 hotline.
Food relief is also available for those in quarantine through the Red Cross.
Mr Weimar acknowledged “it’s a challenging time for parents and for school children”.
“We’ve issued revised guides to all the schools, that minimises the number of schools that have to close, that minimises the number of kids that are called up as primary close contacts,” he said.
Mr Weimar reiterated that VCE students are a primary focus of the COVID-19 response for
schools.
Several comments expressed concern about those in the community not following COVID-19 restrictions, including mask wearing.
Latrobe Health Advocate Jane Anderson said “what we’re looking for is that community wide approach, where it is respecting other people and supporting them”.
“It’s important that we are not making assumptions and judgements and being supportive of everyone in the community,” Ms Anderson said.
The comment section was littered with appreciative posts, thanking Mr Weimar and
others for their time.
A recording of the webinar is available for viewing on Latrobe Health Assembly’s Facebook page.
