Melbourne towers locked up for residents’ own protection: Daniel Andrews

Melburnians in locked-down housing estates are being treated like people in aged care centres for their ‘protection’, Premier Daniel Andrews said.

At least 500 police officers, healthcare and various violence, drug and alcohol abuse services are supporting Melbourne’s locked-down housing estates. Picture: Ian Currie

Melburnians in locked-down housing estates are being treated like people in aged care centres for their “protection”, Premier Daniel Andrews said as he tries to prevent “people dying in those towers”.

Victoria recorded 74 new cases on Saturday, with 26 people in hospital and three in intensive care.

Four new cases were recorded in housing estates. Thirteen cases in housing towers have been ­recorded in North Melbourne and 14 in Flemington.

“We’re going to see some big-numbers days, some big numbers, in the days ahead,” Mr Andrews said.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said he expected to find more cases in the towers as people

Police question residents of a locked-down housing estate. Picture : Ian Currie

were tested. He said the limited lockdown of 3000 people in their units may be “imperfect”, but it was much better than the alternative, which could create hundreds of new cases.

“This specific setting has genuinely explosive potential for the spreading of this virus,” he said.

“If this had exploded within the towers and there were literally hundreds and hundreds of people who became infected and they were going about their normal business, some of whom might be in the process of developing symptoms or had very mild symptoms and hadn’t been tested … it would have spread beyond the postcodes even.

“So I think early, if imperfect, control is the really key element here.

“I don’t think we’ve turned the corner yet. I think we can see other big days ahead of us.”

Mr Andrews said the residents were being treated no different to aged care residents and he expected nearly everyone to comply with testing.

“This isn’t about punishment, this is about protection,” he said.

“If someone knocks at your door to test you, the only answer you should give is yes.”

Mr Andrews said the importance of the lockdown was in slowing the spread, rather than trying to get to zero new cases. “No one will be spared the cost of a second wave,” he said. “It will affect everyone.”

The tenants of the housing towers are being guarded by at least 500 police officers per shift and various services are stepping up to address non-virus issues, ­including family violence support, drug and alcohol support, and physical healthcare and support for those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Teams from the Red Cross are acting as a single point of contact through their Community Connector programs, linking residents to vital services such as mental health and alcohol and other drug services.

Alcohol or drug providers such as UnitingCare are lined up to ­ensure residents on existing programs can continue their treatment and have access to needle and syringe programs.

Tenants affected by the lockdown will receive $750 hardship payment that will be fast-tracked if they agree to testing.

Tenants of the towers who are employed, but unable to go to work because of the lockdown,

A Melbourne resident is tested for the virus inside the public housing estate. Picture : Ian Currie

will receive a $1500 hardship payment. Residents will be supplied with food and essential supplies as well as activity boxes for children including Lego and puzzles.

A dedicated hotline has also been established and Mr Andrews said there were talks with Telstra about providing Wi-Fi.

He said while authorities were looking at safe ways for residents to get fresh air, the priority was isolation. “I don’t want people dying in those towers,” he said.