MARCH 24, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Needing a second chance A Craigieburn animal shelter could be forced to close its doors as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR), which opened a new shelter, community animal hospital and cattery in Grasslands Avenue late last year, has noticed a drop in pet adoptions and donations in recent weeks. Founder Marisa Debattista said the shelter was also operating with a skeleton workforce. She said the charity was struggling inancially to look after its animals and stay aloat. “This means we may have to close the shelter temporarily and, if things don’t improve, possible forever,” she said. “We at Second Chance are seriously feeling the effect [of the coronavirus pandemic] as people stay home to protect themselves, fewer animals being adopted, less people willing to foster and the hardest hitting of all; less people donating to our cause.” The charity has launched a fundraising appeal, urging people to donate if they can. To donate to Second Chance Animal Rescue, visit: https://donate.mycause. com.au/charity/25182 Laura Michell
Nurse Caitlin Corrigan with 12 week old domestic medium hair cat Will Ferral. (Joe Mastroianni) 206669_02
Virus shuts down region By Laura Michell Schools have closed and all pubs, clubs, casinos, cinemas, gyms and places of worship have been shut as the state battles the COVID-19 pandemic. he state government announced that essential services would continue to operate, including banks, supermarkets, chemists and service stations. he prime minister on Sunday asked all Australians to cancel non-essential travel. Council-run events, programs at libraries and community houses, and theatre shows have all been suspended across Whittlesea and Hume.
Whittlesea and Hume councils decided last week to suspend their events and programs. Afected events include the South Morang Farmers’ Market, Broadmeadows Street Festival, and Anzac Day services. Yarra Plenty Regional Library branches, including those in Whittlesea, and the Broadmeadows, Craigieburn and Sunbury libraries remain open, however all programs and events have been cancelled. he Gladstone Park and Tullamarine libraries and the Hume mobile library have been closed. Senior Centres at Broadmeadows, Gladstone Park and Sunbury have also been closed, while
supported playgroups have been suspended until ater Easter. Programs have also been suspended at Mernda Community House and homastown Neighbourhood House, while the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre has been temporarily closed. Leisure centres in both municipalities remain open. Hume council has given members the option of suspending their gym memberships and swimming lessons. A fever clinic to screen for potential coronavirus cases has been set up at Northern Hospital. he clinic, which is open seven days a week
from 9am to 8pm, has limited testing resources available. In a statement, Northern Health said it would only provide COVID-19 testing for people who have returned from overseas in the past 14 days and have symptoms such as a fever, cough or sore throat, or have been in contact with a person conirmed to have coronavirus, or are a health care or residential aged care worker who has a fever, cough or sore throat. he hospital is also limiting patient visitors to one person at time, with children under the age of 16 only allowed to visit in exceptional circumstances. Visiting hours have been reduced to 4-8pm.
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