By Laura Michell
Hundreds of Hume council employees have been stood down as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact council services.
Council chief executive Domenic Isola confirmed to Star Weekly last week that 300 casual staff have been temporarily stood down.
Mr Isola said it was a “difficult decision”, which was the result of state and federal government restrictions requiring council to close a number of services and facilities.
“The coronavirus is having a devastating impact on our community, and Hume City Council as an organisation is not immune,” he said.
“We have had to close our leisure centres, libraries, community facilities and learning centres … and we anticipate that more facilities may need to close as we all do our bit to fight against the spread [of COVID-19].
“We are providing daily updates to our staff as the situation evolves.”
Mr Isola said affected staff would be provided with a special payment of two weeks’ pay and would be able to access their long service leave entitlements during the stand down period.
It comes as the number of coronavirus cases in Whittlesea and Hume continues to rise.
Data from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reveals there were 29 recorded cases in Hume as of April 2, up from 10 the week before.
There were 15 cases in Whittlesea, up from eight the previous week.
More than 1000 cases were recorded across the state as of April 2.
Locally, two cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at La Trobe University, while a contractor who worked at Doreen’s Hazel Glen College has also tested positive for the virus.
Hazel Glen College principal Anthony Stockwell recently wrote to parents to assure them that there was no risk to students.
The letter, seen by Star Weekly, said the school was following all health advice from DHHS.
“DHHS has advised that there is no need for staff or students to take any further precautionary action other than what has already been communicated to community members, such as practising social distancing and good hand hygiene,” the letter said.
