News

Shop local appeal to Mallee residents

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 21:05:00

MALLEE residents are being urged to shop with local businesses, as Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions limit people’s movement across the region.

Under the Stage 3 restrictions in place across regional Victoria, there are only four reasons for people to leave their home:  shopping for food and essential items; care and caregiving; daily exercise; work and study, if this can’t be done from home. Everyone who leaves their home must wear a face mask/covering.
“This is a great opportunity to look after our own economies by getting the goods or services we need we from local businesses,” Mallee Track Health and Community Services Chief Executive Officer Lois O’Callaghan said.
“If you can get what you need locally, then you do not have a valid reason to travel to Mildura or Swan Hill.”
Ms O’Callaghan said the Stage 3 restrictions currently in place were much clearer than those enforced earlier in the year, making it very clear what is required.

“It’s a different game this time and it’s up to all of us to be accountable and do the right thing,” she said.
“We all need to play our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19. By shopping locally, you are not only keeping money in our local communities, you are also limiting the amount of people you come in contact with and reducing your chance of catching COVID-19.
“The current stay at home directions stated that unreasonable travel to obtain goods and services that can be obtained closer to home is not permissible.  The police and other regulatory authorities can issue you a fine in these circumstances.  You should not travel further than you need to. Please use common sense and consideration when it comes to travelling and stay close to home.”
With active COVID-19 cases recently confirmed in both Mildura and Swan Hill, Ms O’Callaghan said it was prudent to respond as though the virus was circulating in our community
“MTHCS is on high alert and we continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation very closely,” she said.
“We are prepared to deal with an outbreak if that occurs, but we do ask everyone to understand that the situation is changing rapidly and visiting arrangements to our residential aged care facilities may change at short notice. We are operating in the safest way possible to protect the health of all staff members, our residents, and our communities.”
MTHCS medical clinics in Sea Lake and Ouyen continue to provide COVID-19 testing for those with COVID-19 symptoms.
The COVID-19 symptoms are fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell. The test is free for everyone.
Community members are asked to call ahead before arriving to be tested and to be tested early in the day, to ensure swabs can be sent to pathology laboratories for analysis as soon as possible.

Pictured: 

(Top) Ouyen pharmacy owners Ken and Wendy Beadle are encouraging people to shop locally during COVID-19.

Sea Lake Supermarket worker Lorelle Budde helping Clive Finch support a local business