AN expansion of the drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic in Mildura is a positive move, however the need for an expansion to testing criteria remains.
Member for Mildura Ali Cupper said the Victorian Government’s announcement on Friday the drive-through clinic at Mildura Central would remain open was needed in light of the growing number of COVID-19 cases in regional Victoria.
“Mildura still hasn’t had a positive case in a number of months, however we have seen cases this week in Swan Hill and Horsham and there are about 40 cases in regional Victoria now,” Ms Cupper said.
“The vast majority of cases remain in the greater Melbourne region, and my push to expand criteria to allow anyone from the Mildura electorate who has been to the city, or had visitors from the city, over the past 14 days get testing regardless of symptoms remains.
“Even with the school holidays having finished, we know there are still a number of people who have to travel to Melbourne for essential services. There are a number of bus services each day from Melbourne.
“The easiest way to ensure our safety is to expand the criteria and I am continuing to advocate to Premier Daniel Andrews and the government about this issue.”
Ms Cupper said people in the Mildura electorate should follow the government’s recommendations people where masks when in public if they were unable to socially distance.
“Wearing face masks in public is a very foreign concept for all of us, but it is important we do anything we can to ensure we keep ourselves and our community safe,” she said.
“If wearing a mask can help minimise the spread of the virus, then I’d urge people to wear a mask in public if you can’t socially distance.”
Ms Cupper also reminded people to be courteous to staff at the pop-up clinic who were working in a stressful environment while following protocols.
“I have had reports of people taking their frustration out on staff at the clinics because they have been turned away,” she said.
“The staff are only able to test people per the current protocols, which means they can only test people who have cold or flu-like symptoms.”
