Efforts boosted to get coronavirus messaging to multicultural communities

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has told SBS he is keen for the coronavirus public health messaging to reach Australians from multicultural communities.

A drive-through COVID-19 testing facility at Northland shopping centre in Melbourne, Monday, 22 June, 2020. Source: AAP

There are six coronavirus hotspots in Melbourne that are subject to travel warnings that have above state-average diversity levels with a population that speak a language other than English at home.

These areas are Darebin, Moreland, Brimbank, Hume, Cardinia, and Casey.

Multicultural groups welcome increased efforts to provide more coronavirus support to multicultural Australians.

But Eddie Micallef from the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria warns the language barrier means many are missing out on essential COVID-19 information including where to go for government support.

There are a lot of people missing out. There are lots of communities or members of those communities missing out and how you get to those members is a real challenge. It can be misconstrued by sectors of the community and feeds into their paranoia and they’ll use that.

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People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.
SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.