AUGUST 25, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Events fall victim to virus
(Shawn Smits) 213608_03
The Djerriwarrh Festival and Lakeside Alive have been cancelled for 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Melton council had hoped restrictions would ease in time to continue planning the major events, which were scheduled for November and October respectively, but with uncertainty surrounding the current lockdown, as well as the need to book facilities and equipment well in advance, it became an impossible task. Mayor Lara Carli said while it was disappointing to cancel such popular events, it was the right decision. “We know that Djerriwarrh Festival and Lakeside Alive are much-loved community events, however, we need to prioritise the health and safety of our festival attendees, staff, volunteers, community groups and school groups who help make Djerriwarrh Festival possible. “We are very much looking forward to bringing you … reimagined events in 2021.” Council has also put on hold funding for two community-run Carols by Candlelight, pending future developments in the COVID-19 situation. Ewen McRae
Virus cases plummet By Ewen McRae Active cases of COVID-19 have plummeted locally in the past week, with Melton recording its lowest number of cases in almost a month. Melton had 239 active cases as of August 23, the lowest number since July 27 when there were 230 active cases. It is a huge drop from last week’s high point, when there were more than 500 active cases of the virus in Melton for the irst time. Moorabool has 11 active cases, with 34 in total since the pandemic began.
he drop is consistent with a decline in case numbers across the state, and chief health oicer Brett Sutton said he was determined to continue the downward trend. “We’re not going to see, you know, 300s and 400s again in Victoria, not under my watch at least,” Professor Sutton said. “It would be great to see numbers going down even further, but I still do expect that we’re on a trajectory, seven-day moving average that sees it continue to decrease. “Essentially the transmission that’s still occurring is sometimes because people have
forgotten those really basic but very essential elements: not washing your hands that one time, forgetting your mask, not wearing it properly, hugging someone who’s outside your household. “hese are simple but also easy to forget. You know, we [have] got ingrained habits we’re trying to turn around.” Despite the drop in numbers, Premier Daniel Andrews said it was too soon to think about easing restrictions. “If we start opening before we have defeated this second wave … we’ll just be in the
beginnings of a third wave,” he said. “So we’ve just got to stay the course on this – the ultra marathon. hat’s the best analogy I can think of. We’re about halfway.” Djerriwarrh Health Services said it conducted 1138 COVID-19 tests in the week to August 21, and a cumulative total of 21,463 since the beginning of the pandemic. he health services’ Hospital in the Home program, which was set up to allow patients who would otherwise require hospitalisation to recover at home, is currently supporting 82 patients as they recover from COVID-19.
SUBSCRIBE to our DIGITAL EDITION - It's FREE • Pensioners & Apprentices from • Business Tax Returns • BAS Statements
• 14 day Tax Refund • (extra cost apply)
Professionally q Accountants to
9am - 8pm Monday - Friday : 9am -Chartered 4pm Saturday Accountants Individual Returns from $120 $150 • Pensioners & Apprentices from $99 $110 • 14 day Tax Refund Professionally qualified Chartered • Business Tax Returns • Fee from refund Accountants to ensure the best tax • BAS Statements (extra cost apply) OPEN We are open and taking appointments over phone and email accountantnet.com.au 9am - 8pm Monday - Friday : 9am - 4pm Saturday
• BusinessSpecialists • Property&BusinessFinance results • CharteredAccountants
MMP06939-01-a2Jul©FCNVIC
290 High Street Melton
accountantnet.com.au
Phone 9743 4576 12453795-SN28-20