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Tuesday 1 June 2021
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Tackling road trauma OVER the next six weeks, Mornington Peninsula motorists will see blue and white signs in danger areas highlighting reasons to drive safely, such as: Because we need to protect our wildlife. The signs are part of a campaign by the Transport Accident Commission to curb road trauma and serious accidents. In the past five years, 37 people have died on peninsula roads, with another four deaths so far this year. The peninsula is the second local government area to pilot the TAC program, Drive Safely Because. The TAC has worked with the shire to set road safety priorities, particularly around protecting such vulnerable road users as children, pedestrians and cyclists. Its campaign will use events, promotions and visual reminders of how important road safety is to local communities to reduce road trauma. TAC head of road safety Samantha Cockfield said “the grassroots campaign aims to humanise road safety, and remind people that the foremost reasons to slow down and drive safely are the families and friends that we share our local roads with.” Stephen Taylor
TAC at Somerville: Christine Albien, Police Acting Inspector Nat Dollard, Christopher-Bree Nyko, Jake Webb, Paulette Ziekemijjer, Paul Mercurio, Millie Davies, Despi O’Connor, Jorgia Goulopoulos and Police Acting Sergeant Raj Sharma. Picture: Gary Sissons
Vaccines the way out of pandemic Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au VICTORIA’S snap lockdown is due to finish by 11.59pm on 3 June. The “circuit breaker” lockdown was announced on 27 May in response to a growing number of COVID-19 cases in the state. The five kilometre travel limit has been reintroduced. Victorians can only
leave home for work, school, caregiving, shopping, and to get vaccinated. Sabrini Foods in Carrum Downs is listed as a tier 1 exposure site. Anyone who visited the site between 2pm and 6pm on 19 May has been asked to get tested and isolate for 14 days. People who have attended locations in Aspendale Gardens, Red Hill, Mordialloc, and Cranbourne have also been put into isolation.
In response to growing case numbers, the state government has opened up vaccinations to people in the 40-49 age bracket. Acting Premier James Merlino said “our public health experts’ prime concern is just how fast the B1.617.1 variant is moving. Overseas, they haven’t been able to track how quickly this version of the virus can move. Here in Victoria, though, we’re seeing not only how quick it is – but how
contagious it is too.” “We also know our nation’s vaccine rollout has been slower than we’d hoped. And if more people were vaccinated, we might be facing a different set of circumstances. Sadly, we’re not,” he said. “If you’re eligible, get vaccinated. Make your plan today. If someone you love is eligible, make a plan together. Do it for yourself. Your family. Your friends. Your community.
Whatever your motivation – please do it. Because vaccination is our only real ticket out of this pandemic.” An extension of the lockdown has not been ruled out. There are 54 active COVID-19 cases in Victoria as of 31 May. To book a vaccine appointment call 1800 020 080. For a list of current exposure sites visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites