Coronavirus shuts down events

Michelle Lane, Andrew Tunne and Kate Scholtens-Brown, past participants in the Wyndham Rotary Fun Run/Walk. Photo by Damjan Janevski. 204101_01

By Alesha Capone

A slew of events planned to run across Wyndham during the next two months have been postponed and cancelled, as part of efforts to halt the spread of coronavirus.

The Wyndham Rotary Fun Run or Walk, which was to be held on Sunday (March 15) to raise funds for the Werribee Mercy Hospital, was postponed to an unknown later date.

The Wyndham Relay For Life – which raises funds for the Cancer Council Victoria – was also to be held at the weekend but was cancelled on Friday afternoon.

The Cancer Council Victoria’s community engagement manager Cara Davey said funds raised by relay participants would roll over to next year’s event, as would registration fees.

The Wyndham Community Activists Group posted on Facebook that it would postpone a rally planned for state Parliament on Thursday (March 19).

The rally, be held in partnership with residents from Bacchus Marsh, was to be in protest of toxic soil from the Westgate Tunnel project being dumped in the west.

“Due to the current situation with the coronavirus, the uncertainty of what the coming week will bring and now the government announcement, we decided to postpone any large planned action of that nature for the timebeing – until it will be most effective,” the post said.

Organisers of The Point Cook Pop Up Park, in Murnong Street, have also cancelled all planned activities due to the COVID-19 virus.

However, Werribee Open Range Zoo will be open as normal.

Zoos Victoria took to social media at the weekend, posting:

“As outdoor venues with lots of space, the risk of coronavirus remains low, and we know a lot of people are craving an escape with nature at the moment.

“However, if you have any flu-like symptoms, please put your health and that of the community first and rest up at home. Our zoos aren’t going anywhere so we’d love to see you when you’re feeling up to it.”

The zoo will post updates at: bit.ly/2xtKtCX.