Sheed calls on Shepparton residents to be COVID-safe

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed is pleading with the Shepparton community to follow the COVID-safe guidelines after it was plunged into another lockdown from midnight tonight (Friday).

Ms Sheed said while the majority of the community was following COVID-safe practices, she was aware of some people flouting the rules.

“Our community is strong, and we do what it takes to help one another and stay healthy, but the recklessness of a few is certainly playing a part in spreading COVID-19 in our community,” she said.

“We only need to take a walk through our supermarkets and around the lake to see the blatant disregard for mask wearing, social distancing, and congregating in groups.

“I am also hearing that close contacts of COVID-19 positive patients are not following the Health Department protocols.

“By now we all know how serious it is to continue walking around the community with the virus, or not knowing if you have the virus. This selfish behaviour will cost lives.

“COVID-19 spreads rapidly and several of our community members are in hospital with the illness.

“This puts enormous pressure on our health system and our medical staff who work long days to treat their regular patients as well as those with COVID-19.

“Our local business owners, who suffered enormously in the past two years, will be devastated that they have to close their doors again. Fresh goods that they bought for the weekend will be wasted and staff will once again be out of work.

“We simply cannot continue to live this way, and it is up to every individual to get vaccinated and keep themselves, their families, and our entire community safe from the virus.

“By now there is no excuse for complacency for the basic COVID practices. We need to wear masks, maintain social distancing, do not have people visiting homes or gathering in large crowds outdoors.

“If you have any symptoms, get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result and follow the direction of contact tracers if you have been to an exposure site.

“We all need to sign into businesses using the Services Victoria app – or by a written document – and keep an eye out for exposure sites.

Exposure sites: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/case-alerts-public-exposure-sites

ENDS

Media contact

Elaine Cooney 0447 820 466│elaine.cooney@parliament.vic.gov.au

Click Here for PDF Version