March 24, 2020 \ STarWEEKLY.cOM.aU
(Joe Mastroianni) 206693_02
Shop local to ight fallout Sunbury and Macedon Ranges residents are being urged to buy from their local businesses to help save jobs and minimise the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on traders. Sunbury Business Association president Michael Osborne said local shopping was now more important than ever because small businesses could take a “big hit” inancially as a result of the virus. “I would suggest, where possible, using local businesses to ensure that they survive,” he said. “Even if it’s online, use their online facilities, purchase gift cards for future use down the track. “Lots of businesses survive week to week and they are not going to be able to keep their doors open unless we can support them in any way we can.” Mr Osborne said shopping at local businesses did extend to supermarket giants such as Coles and Woolworths. “They hire local employees,” he said. “Having said that, don’t forget about the local corner store. You’d be surprised that they’ll have the things you need that the big supermarkets don’t.” Jessica Micallef
MICHAEL OSBORNE
Virus shuts down region By Jessica Micallef 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. Many public facilities and services in the Macedon Ranges and Sunbury have closed and events have been cancelled or postponed. he shutdown comes as Macedon Ranges recorded two cases of COVID-19.
Last week, Macedon Ranges council made the decision to close all council-run pools, gyms and leisure centres, libraries in Kyneton, Gisborne and Woodend, council service desks in Kyneton, Gisborne, Woodend and Romsey and the Kyneton Museum, for at least one month. All arts and culture events at the Kyneton Town Hall have been cancelled or postponed. Visitor information centres did not open on March 14 and 15 and will remain closed until further notice. he council said its kindergartens and maternal and child health centres would remain open until it is notiied by health authorities and the state government to close. Residents who have memberships, programs
or tickets for council facilities or centres will be contacted directly regarding future arrangements. he council’s chief executive oicer Margot Stork said the council was taking a proactive approach in order to protect the health and wellbeing of the community. Meanwhile, Riddells Creek Foodworks has been forced to limit the store to local shoppers only, with reports of “busloads” of city shoppers making their way to regional supermarkets to panic buy. Store manager Joanna Bodsworth said security guards have been placed outside the store to check shoppers’ identiication before entering the store. “We are reducing entry to the store to locals only that live in a radius
of about 12 kilometres of Riddells Creek,” she said. Residents from Riddells Creek, Clarkeield, Monegeetta, Bolinda, Romsey, Lanceield, Gisborne, New Gisborne, Cherokee and Sunbury from Riddell Road up to and including Settlement Road will only be allowed to shop at the Riddells Creek Foodworks on Station Street. Williamson’s Foodworks in Gisborne has reduced its store hours to 9am-8pm, with the irst hour of trade reserved for pensioners. Closures were also put in place across Hume last week. he council closed its three senior centres, including the Sunbury facility on O’Shanassy Street. Hume council has provided a detailed list of cancelled events on its website.
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