THE state of emergency declared in response to the growing threat of COVID-19 may trigger Frankston’s pandemic plan.
A state of emergency was called by the state government on 16 March. Premier Daniel Andrews said it would be in place for “the next four weeks to assist with measures designed to flatten the curve of COVID-19 and give our health system the best chance of managing the virus.”
Frankston mayor Sandra Mayer said “like all Victorian councils, Frankston City Council has a pandemic plan in place and it is likely the state of emergency will activate this plan.”
“We are confident we are well prepared for a pandemic,” Cr Mayer said. “The implementation of the pandemic plan will be led by the state government which will support us in ensuring critical services, such as kerbside waste collection, continue to operate.
“In the meantime, we have taken a number of precautionary measures to protect officers and the community and will continue to act on the advice and recommendations of the Department of Health and Human Services.”
Frankston’s pandemic plan includes “contingency measures” in case council officers have to be isolated at home. Work spaces of staff with “critical responsibilities’ will also be separated.
Cr Mayer also said that ordinary council meetings may be closed to the public, and events could be cancelled or postponed. Immunisation sessions, Meals on Wheels, and waste collection services will continue to operate.
The Block Party event to kick off the Big Picture Fest was cancelled.
The event was set to take place on 20 March. Music acts Henry Wagons and the Only Children, Brooke Taylor, and Grey Horizon had been booked for the evening.
The Vinyl Record Market and Party in the Park have also been cancelled due to growing COVID-19 concerns.