Flemington Tower Residents Test Negative After Exposure Site Is Identified
“It’s not easy to be blocked as they are now, waiting for test results, and some will have to be blocked, regardless of their negative result, for the full 14 days,” Andrews said.
A resident, who did not want to be identified, left 130 Racecourse Road Sunday morning after receiving his negative result.
The housing tower 130 Racecourse Road, where 17th floor residents are isolated.Credit:Paul jeffers
He said authorities’ response was much better than in last year’s outbreak, when police invaded the towers, traumatizing residents in what Ombudsman Deborah Glass later called a “surveillance theater” that violates the human rights.
“We need doctors and we need nurses, not policemen,” said the resident. Age.
Faisal, who is in his 50s and lives in one of the neighboring towers, came down for a test “just to be safe.”
“Last year was complicated,” he said. “They have the idea now.”
Health Director Brett Sutton addresses the media Sunday morning.Credit:Paul jeffers
Rahma Abdirahman, 35, lives at 120 Racecourse Road, across from Building 130, with her three young children.
He left Sunday for a COVID test after realizing he had been in the elevator with a family with children at Mount Alexander College.
Loading
She said she and her children will isolate themselves for 14 days to “do the right thing.”
“I don’t want to be locked up, I didn’t want to get tested, but I have to,” he said. “Whether negative or positive, I will stay 14 days. It’s not a joke.”
Her 10-year-old daughter Sabrina said she enjoyed family time but would miss her friends from school.
“I love going to school and I love seeing my friends, so the fact that I am not allowed to leave the house is not the best thing,” he said.
Abdirahman said the way the authorities managed the towers this time was much better.
“The way this was handled last year made us feel like second-class citizens,” he said. “From the way it has been handled this time, there are no policemen… there is no sense of fear. If they can learn from their mistakes last year and it can be implemented better than last year, then I am doomed. “
Greens state deputy for Melbourne Ellen Sandell agreed the response was better and was led by health officials, rather than the police. “I am so relieved that the state government has finally learned some lessons from last year’s disaster,” she said.
Ms. Sandell said her priority was to push for vaccine clinics to be set up in the towers on Monday, after they were halted in recent weeks. He asked the Health Department to investigate a safe way for residents in isolation to have access to fresh air. “Many of these small public housing apartments do not have windows that can be opened and they do not have balconies like private apartments.”
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the most important and interesting stories, analysis and ideas of the day. sign up here.
