Hot spot locals urge people to comply with coronavirus restrictions

Residents and business owners in Melbourne’s virus-plagued hot spots are angry that they have been forced to go back into lockdown.

Frustrated residents and business owners heading back into lockdown for a second time in Melbourne’s coronavirus-plagued hot spots have urged their communities to do the right thing.

As Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced new coronavirus testing sites in Glenroy and Fawkner, residents there said they were sad and frustrated the actions of a few had let them all down.

Some food outlets, restaurants and cafes were already closed or serving takeaway only, while the Glenroy Coles had sold out of toilet paper as panic buyers hit the shelves again.

The owner of Fawkner’s Bonwick Street Bakery, Rose Mehmet, said it was “very sad” to be going back into stage three restrictions as it meant not everyone had been following the rules.

“Trade had been improving but everyone forgot we still had the virus and started living their life as normal,” she said.

COVID-19 testing in Fawkner today. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“I want (our community) to take this seriously, more seriously than they did before.

“We will stay open for takeaway and I want people who come in here to be a bit more careful. We will be living with this for a long time; it’s not easy.”

Glenroy’s Yasser Azeem said it didn’t feel good to be in the same position again.

“It was already very frustrating to be inside our homes for three months and now we again have to live with this situation,” he said.

A driver gets tested in the hot spot suburbs of Fawkner today. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“It is really taking a toll on our mental health because everyone is getting frustrated while sitting inside their home.

“My message is to be patient, be supportive of each other and let’s hope it will be over in four weeks.”

Fellow Glenroy resident Spiros Strouzas said if it had to happen, it had to happen.

“If people are stupid enough not to do what we we’re supposed to do, what do you expect,” he said.

He said it would be frustrating not being able to see his grandchildren for the next four weeks and it would make it a little more difficult to care for his elderly mum in Coburg each day.

Empty toilet paper shelves in Glenroy Coles.

Mani Shawma, of Zaatar House Bakery in Fawkner, said trade was very quiet already.

“Oh course I’m not happy. We are very quiet, we’ve lost our business, we’ve lost our customers, people are scared to go out,” he said.

Moreland mayor Lambros Tapinos, who lives in Brunswick West, one of the 10 affected postcodes, said council facilities such as libraries, gyms, pools and playgrounds in the suburbs of Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park, Fawkner and Brunswick West would close.

“I know this is a difficult time for many local businesses and residents but we must all work together to stop the spread of this virus,” he said.

“This virus doesn’t recognise postcodes or suburb boundaries; it can infect anyone in any location.”

The 10 “hot zone” postcodes will return to stage three stay-at-home restrictions from 11.59pm on Wednesday until at least July 29.

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