Coronavirus takes a toll

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By Alesha Capone

The impact of the coronavirus is continuing to ripple through the community, with events cancelled and services impacted across the municipality.

Wyndham council announced last week that it would close the Civic Centre in Werribee from Friday (March 20), but would continue to deliver essential services, some as normal and some via the phone or online.

The council said this would be reviewed on a regular basis.

Pacific Werribee issued an update to customers which said it has “strengthened our already stringent cleaning processes” and rolled out a public hygiene advertising campaign across the shopping centre.

Many outlets at the centre have revised their trading hours – for example, JB HI-FI will be opening at 10am instead of 9am to carry out extra cleaning.

The centre’s RACV will be closed until further notice and Radio Rentals will be closed on Sundays.

The much-loved Cadbury Easter Picnic & Egg Hunt at Werribee Mansion, which was to be held on Friday, April 10, has been cancelled.

The annual event raises funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

Cadbury said that ticket-holders would receive a full refund and that it would make a donation of $100,000 to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings said the coronavirus outbreak was “a turbulent time for the entire industry”.

The airport has decided to extend a deal offering 25 per cent off the price of car parking, which was due to expire at the end of March.

The deal will remain in place at the airport’s short and long-term car parking areas until the end of June, and will include the first four hours of parking for free.

Although Werribee Open Range Zoo will remain open to the public, Zoos Victoria has asked anyone feeling unwell or with flu-like symptoms to refrain from visiting.

Visitor numbers at the zoo have also been capped at 2000 people, per day.

Every person entering the zoo, including babies, must have pre-booked a ticket online, including zoo members.

All animal encounters, shows, camps, keeper talks, education programs and the safari bus have been cancelled.