Satmar Hasidic Jewish sect continues holding meetings during stage four lockdown
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish group is continuing to hold meetings during tough Stage 4 restrictions, sparking accusations that health officials have accepted it is OK despite fears it runs the risk of coronavirus “wildfire”.
Inner South
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An ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect is continuing to hold gatherings at its Ripponlea synagogue despite the Stage 4 lockdown
It comes after the Leader last month revealed the Satmar Hasidic Jewish group were dodging restrictions barring the running of religious ceremonies by claiming its prayer meetings were a support group.
Under Stage 3 restrictions support groups were allowed to continue meeting in socially-distanced groups of up to 20 people.
But the group can still legally meet, despite the even tougher Stage 4 restrictions.
According to DHHS, “essential support groups such as drug and alcohol support groups” can continue to operate under the tougher Stage 4 restrictions provided they have a COVID-safe plan and enough room to allow for one person per four square metres.
However, religious ceremonies are not allowed.
A high-ranking offical told the Leader: “DHHS has basically turned a blind eye and accepted that they’re a support group, even though they’re clearly a religious group meeting on Jewish holy days.”
The source said the Satmar group — believed to a breakaway from the Adass Israel group — was made up of about 80 families.
“DHHS have basically said that because it’s such a small group of no more than 400 people, it’s okay for them to meet,” the source said.
“But honestly, if one of them got COVID, it’d spread through that community like wildfire and that’d be another 400 people with it.”
The Leader visited the Synagogue on Saturday and observed people arriving in small groups. Everyone was wearing a mask or face covering.
Last month the Leader also revealed at least two of the group’s leaders allegedly did not quarantine after returning from New York at the height of the first coronavirus outbreak in March.
The men had reportedly attended meetings with spiritual heads of the ultra-Orthodox sect at its headquarters in Brooklyn.
“They flew back from a coronavirus epicentre and didn’t quarantine,” one source told the Leader.
“They didn’t self-isolate, they were out and about in the community and attending religious services.”
Port Phillip Inspector Nigel McGuire-White said police continued to work with DHHS and members of the Jewish community to ensure compliance with Stage 4 restrictions.
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