How groups and businesses are responding to the coronavirus pandemic

THE coronavirus threat and its ripple effect on our way of life might have many locals worried about what this means for the Surf Coast, but community groups and businesses are doing their best to support those who need it most.

Michael Buckley of Torquay Food Aid said the Wednesday afternoon food drive would continue, with non-perishable goods available to registered clients.
“We’re instituting some health measures to prevent infection between volunteers and our clients.

“We are finding it a little bit harder to access some of our food stocks, so we probably need some more donations from the general public.”

Torquay Community House co-ordinator Laura Connor (along with the board and staff) made the decision to close the house to the public for the fortnight prior to the beginning of the school holidays, effective of Monday this week.

Ms Connor said all parties involved felt it was the responsible action to take and that the house would look at other ways to assist vulnerable community members at this time of uncertainty.

“We have many vulnerable people here in our community and we felt that with the school holidays coming up, many of our classes are having their last classes anyway.

“This provides a window of opportunity to put in place social distancing measures to help contain the virus.

“We know we have homeless people in Torquay, and with our doors closed it is a concern. We’re asking people to think of others and those less fortunate then themselves, and others in the community who might be doing it really tough.”

Ms Connor said Torquay Community House would turn its attention to online support in a bid to “keep people’s spirits up”.

Marcelle Renkin of Anglesea Community House said staff were also looking at ways to offer assistance to vulnerable people in the community.

She said the decision to keep the house’s doors open was reflective of this but cautioned decisions were changing “day by day”.

Great Escape Books took to Facebook on Tuesday to announce staff would personally deliver ordered books and puzzles to people who are self-isolating in the Surf Coast or greater Geelong region without charging a fee.

People who live outside these regions will be charged a flat rate of $6 for any two books or puzzles.

“Our current situation is fluid, and if we personally need to self-isolate, then obviously we will need to suspend this service, but at the moment we are fine,” the post said.

Surf Coast residents who live alone, are elderly or are self-isolating and need support are asked to place a red item on their front door to alert friends and neighbours of their situation.

People who are not ill are being encouraged to check in and offer support where they can.