A medical chief from Southern Australia warned that Limestone Coast faces a high risk when restrictions in Victoria begin to relax.
Restrictions will be relaxed beginning next week as a state-wide roadmap put in place.
Starting Monday, outdoor meetings will be allowed, retail stores and schools will be opened.
Elaine Pretorius, the executive director of Limestone Coast local health network said that health officials have been conducting a series of discussions that will tackle the eventual easing of restrictions.
Considering the possible risk that the community is about to face, authorities are closely coordinating with one another to introduce options of response.
‘Strange’ anti-masks protests
Dr. Pretorius said that it is important for Limestone Coast to remain COVID-19 free.
There are reports of anti-mask protests. However, it is important to remain pragmatic while anticipating the possible effects. She said that the Australian people witnessed how the pandemic affected the cross-border community as well as the economy.
She said that despite the ongoing changes in restrictions, Limestone Coast will continue implementing its rules and protocols.
The risk is at a higher level as border restrictions ease and the local health network should not be complacent in dealing with it.
Dr. Pretorius said that they will continue to insist on wearing masks especially those who just entered the border. If after 28 days and there are no recorded cases, then they will consider relaxing the protocols.
She also said that mass testing will be in place and will be driven in a continuous effort.
Monitoring Victoria’s roadmap
Dr. Pretorius said that Victoria’s plan of rolling out restriction relaxation plans will be delivered sequentially.
She expressed how people are going to follow the rules for their sake.
Also, she pointed out that the risk increases as restaurants in Victoria are set to open.
While acknowledging that there is nothing to do about it anymore, the local health network in Limestone Coast has been conducting a series of exercises to prepare the unit for possible COVID-19 cases.
COVID-19 diagnosis in South Australia has been taken differently because they will be moved into a designated hospital in Adelaide.
This is a good move to do since infection rates are likely to ramp up in facilities.
Risk monitoring by aged care facilities
Boandik, an aged care provider on Limestone Coast affirmed that they are closely monitoring the Victorian roadmap.
Gillian McGinty, chief executive of Boandik said that the COVID-19 incidence has been closely monitored by the organisation to determine risk.
Their pandemic plan has been appropriated with the existing protocols in nearby areas such as Victoria. She said that their efforts in promoting effective infection control is still in place and shall not be halted in any way.
