Many Melbournians from the non-English speaking background were confused and did not understand the roadmap for reopening and some had the wrong information. We saw it was important to explain the Roadmap in the Assyrian language, so people will have a better understanding of the issue.
Valentine Aghajani is a member of the Assyrian Council of Victoria. She is a migration agent and a translator. She also teaches interpreters course at RMIT in Melbourne.
She reads out the four steps of the Roadmap, highlighting each step and clearly, trying to explain the rules and conditions that each step requires.
Our guest said that “Melbourne residents are facing challenging times as they have been in lockdown for months”.
As the state government keeps introducing new rules and restrictions, it remains mandatory for residents to wear a mask and to stay home.
Per the current restrictions, only one individual from each household can leave home for necessary activities such as shopping.
Regarding schools, our guest said that all schools have been shut down.
Aghajani outlined to the audience of SBS Assyrian the roadmap to recovery that the premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews has introduced to the residents of the state if the daily cases are between 30 to 50 starting from Sunday, 13th of September at 11:59 pm.
All individuals that exit their homes still have to adhere to wearing a mask.
The curfew has been extended to one hour which will now start from 9:00 pm instead of 8:00 pm.
Individuals can now go out for a maximum period of two hours for a maximum number of people together to only two in an area that does not exceed 5kms from their location of residency.
Regarding the individuals who live on their own or single parents, they can now nominate one individual that will be able to visit them in their house.
Childcare centres can now go back to normal schedules.
Restaurants and cafes will reopen. However, only doing delivery and pick up services.
Should the total numbers of cases in a single day are reduced to between 30 and 50 from the period of 13th to 28th of September, the state will move into stage two of the roadmap.
In stage two, public gathering will be allowed for a maximum number of five people only from two different families. Children under the age of 12 will not be counted toward the maximum number of individuals in a gathering.
From the 26th of October, if the case numbers are dropped to five per day, the state will move into stage three.
Starting from the beginning of stage three until the 23rd of November, Melbournians will be able to attend a public gathering for a maximum number of ten people.
The government will also remove the curfew that is currently existing.
Restaurants and cafes will be able to welcome people. However, social distancing must be maintained.
Businesses that are specialised in hairdressing will also be allowed to reopen.
Weddings can have up to ten attendees and funerals will have a maximum of 20 attendees.
Starting from the 23rd of November and onward, 50 individuals can attend funerals, and only up to 20 can gather in a church for the service.
Individuals will also be allowed to travel to other cities.
Our guest reminded the listeners that the Victorian government has permission until March year to bring back the lockdown restrictions should the cases exceed 50 per day.
Aghajani also told our program that there have been many members of the Assyrian community who have been candid when they were diagnosed with Covid-19 and this is helping to stop the spread of the virus.
Our guest also urged the public to protect themselves and their families as the virus can cause serious harm.
For those who are employed and are still mixing with others, the government will pay them $450 if they get tested and diagnosed and then self-isolate for a period of two weeks.
It is also worth mentioning that this payment is different from job-keeper or other federally funded schemes.
Aghajani concluded the interview by asking the public to follow all government instructions regarding coronavirus.
Watch the full interview in Assyrian language through the following link:
