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Paws for some fun Victoria University held a Stress Less Fest for its students, complete with canine companions. The festival is aimed at giving students a break from studies and assignments, and allowing them a chance to recharge, either online or on campus. VU volunteer and first year nursing student Hannah Joyce said it was “really fun” to unwind and play with some cute dogs. “I think a lot of people are stressed at uni with assignments right now,” she said. “Being able to play with the dogs helps you reduce stress, and remain calm.” The Stress Less Fest last week included wellbeing workshops, mindfulness colouring stations, live music, and pop-up stalls across all VU campuses. Wellbeing services manager Margaret Theologou said the festival was a necessary addition to the student calendar. Michaela Meade
HANNAH JOYCE WITH WELLBEING DOG RAFA
Highpoint COVID scare By Benjamin Millar Visitors to a number of Highpoint shopping centre stores are being forced into 14-day quarantine after five different locations were identified as Tier 1 COVID-19 exposure sites. The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services sounded the alarm on Monday after contact tracers tracked a COVID-positive patient’s movements back to the popular shopping centre on the evening of May 20. The department further revised its public exposure sites warning for Highpoint on Tuesday afternoon, naming Lush Cosmetics, Toyworld, Smiggle, Kidstuff and Ishka as Tier 1 exposure sites. Visitors to Highpoint shopping centre
are required to get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure if they attended any of these locations during the following times on Thursday, May 20: • Kidstuff (Level 2) from 5.20pm – 5.55pm • Toyworld (Level 2) from 5.30pm – 6.20pm • Ishka (Level 2) from 5.45pm – 6.20pm • Smiggle (Level 3) from 5.55pm – 6.30pm • Lush Cosmetics (Level 2) 6.05pm – 6.35pm Shoppers who visited all other areas on Levels 2 and 3 from 5.15pm – 6.35pm are required to get tested urgently and to isolate until they receive a negative result. Highpoint owner GPT said that centre management has received notification the centre has been listed as a COVID-19 public exposure site by the Victorian Department of
Health and Human Services. A spokesperson said centre management continues to monitor the situation, and is following all relevant advice and guidance issued by the Department of Health and Human Services with regards to COVID-19. “We will continue with all precautionary hygiene measures already implemented, including heightened cleaning regimes throughout all high traffic areas,” the spokesperson said. The Highpoint scare comes as some restrictions were reintroduced in Metro Melbourne on Tuesday night as the number of active coronavirus cases grew. Masks will be compulsory indoors for anyone 12 years of age and older, private gatherings
indoors will be limited to five people and public gatherings will be limited to 30 people. Chief health officer Brett Sutton said the restrictions would remain in place until Friday, June 4, when they will be reviewed. The reintroduction of restrictions follows a fifth positive COVID-19 case, a man in his 60s, connected to four people who tested positive in the City of Whittlesea on Monday. Meanwhile Western Bulldogs players and staff have all received coronavirus tests and are isolating until they receive a negative result, after a staff member reported being at Highpoint during the exposure period. The club expects minimal disruption to its preparations for Friday night’s match against Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.