Horsham City Council will not provide relief centres due to COVID-19

Due to social distancing rules emergency services will instead be virtual.

Wimmera Emergency Management Coordinator John Hutchins said it was not possible to establish the crowded meeting places that follow a disaster.

"Instead, there will be a virtual response involving emergency management staff working hard behind the scenes to provide affected people with information and deliver access to relief support services to assist with their immediate needs," Mr Hutchins said.

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"If you have been displaced from your home it is important to register via the Red Cross "Register Find Reunite" website and then contact your local council if you require further support or information."

"We are confident that the virtual ERC will provide the support that our community needs during an emergency. We will continue to review and adapt its contents as the situation evolves to ensure that it stays informative, responsive and relevant."

Although Horsham City Council will not be providing emergency relief centres this summer, Horsham CFA Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Eddie Lacko said the CFA will provide temporary relief centres to the public if an emergency incident occurs.

"If there is a need for physical relief during an emergency we will work with police and all our other agencies to organise a relief centre," Mr Lacko said.

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"What this means is that the council does not have any predetermined relief centres because of COVID, but if we need to put in an emergency centre we will establish one through the police."

Mr Lacko said the centres will follow COVID safe guidelines.

"Depending on the incident, if it is warranted we will put one in."

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