Residents locked in but generous Victorians ready to help
Shockwaves were felt across the entire community after news spread that 3000 people in public housing towers were going into complete lockdown. But generous Melburnians got to work to make sure some of the state’s most vulnerable were getting the help they need.
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As rain fell on the locked-down Sutton St flats in North Melbourne on Saturday night, faces were pressed up against windows looking down at the flashing police lights below.
On the street it was quiet, a booze bus displaying “STAY HOME — Covid Restrictions In Force” parked out the front.
Police and protective services officers patrolled the area.
Resident Ahmed Odowa spoke to the Sunday Herald Sun as he stood outside in the late afternoon, getting his last bit of freedom before being locked down.
“We have been told to stay home,” he said.
“It’s better to have safety, we want to help save our country and our people, we are happy to stay here.”
Residents at the four Flemington housing towers said they were not given any warning about the lockdown and were alarmed by the sudden, large police presence.
Ruth Eyakem was outside when the shutdown occurred and said some of her neighbours had called asking her to pick up essentials.
“They can’t go out, they can’t do anything so some of them asked me to get stuff for them from the milk bar,’’ Ms Eyakem said.
“We’re co-operating. We’re not ignorant people. But the feeling is, like, scary a little bit.”
A booze bus-style operation was set up on Racecourse Rd about 5.15pm to question drivers.
Many communities from African nations now call the tower flats home.
Youth leader Ahmed Hassan said communication was a problem for many people in the flats.
“They are some (of) the most vulnerable in our state. We must do everything to help them,’’ he said.
A few suburbs north, in Oak Park, which is one of the hotspot suburbs back in lockdown, some businesses have decided to shut up shop.
The local newsagent, Oak Park News and Lotto, will be closed until the end of the month.
Oak Park resident Gael Cracknell said hotspot areas like Oak Park shouldn’t be the only ones to be forced back into stage three.
“I think they should just do it properly and shut it all down,” Ms Cracknell said.
The Victorian Trades Hall Council has raised more than $86,650 as of 10.30pm on Saturday to assist residents of the nine public housing towers in Flemington and Kensington subject to immediate lock down.
The Victorian union state the donated funds will be used to provide employment advice, representation and financial support for residents.