Support vital in managing virus

Katanning Shire president Liz Guidera says the community and the Shire will have a big role to play in ensuring the safety and support of vulnerable people as the COVID-19 crisis escalates.

While there had been no reported cases of COVID-19 in regional WA as of Tuesday, Cr Guidera said residents needed to be ready to help the more vulnerable members of the community.

“I think that as things are evolving and developing quite quickly, everyone is bringing in those recommendations that we’re getting from the Health Department in terms of distancing and cleaning hands,” she said.

“But I think what will happen in the future is we will have a very important role in looking after the older and the vulnerable people, such as those with a compromised immune system.

“We’ll need to work to ensure that those people have adequate food and medicine, and the community as well as the Shire will have a role to play in that.

“The Shire will be taking advice from the department, and if people will find themselves isolated and in need of support, we will need to have strategies in place to support them.”

Katanning’s Harmony Fest is among the events cancelled to avoid the spread of the virus.

“I think that it was important that that decision was made, and generally, while being disappointed, the community were supportive of our decision considering what’s been happening in Australia and all over the world,” Cr Guidera said.

“It’s about keeping people safe and limiting the number of infections, particularly for our elderly and most vulnerable, we need to look after them.”

The Rotary Club’s annual dinner has also been cancelled.