MPs’ plea to community: ‘Do the right thing’
'No minyan is worth risking someone’s life, and right now, staying home saves lives'.
A STRONG call for Jewish community members to continue observing lockdown restrictions has been made by local politicians this week, as metropolitan Melbourne descended back into stage three restrictions.
The message came after reports of a group allegedly continuing to meet for daily prayer gatherings.
Applauding the “vast majority of our community who has been doing the right thing,” federal member for Macnamara Josh Burns reiterated, “With community transmission of COVID-19 a serious issue in Melbourne, it is incumbent on all members of our Jewish community to observe the Chief Health Officer’s directions.
“No minyan is worth risking someone’s life, and right now, staying home saves lives.”
Member for Caulfield David Southwick said, “As wonderful as our community has been in following the rules, we are going to have to continue to do our bit and work together for the health and safety of all of us”.
Over the past weekend, seven people were fined for gathering to celebrate a 30th birthday party at a private residence in Caulfield. On Monday, Caulfield restaurant Okami announced that a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19. The Japanese restaurant neighbours several kosher eateries on Kooyong Road.
Southwick continued, “[But] overwhelmingly, the local Jewish community and people in our area have stepped up during COVID-19 and largely done the right thing.
“I feel especially sorry for those that will not be able to bury a loved one, celebrate life time events and …to attend a minyan; but if we have learnt anything from the last outbreak, it is that we are only as strong as our weakest link and if one doesn’t follow the rules, we all fail.”
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