As social distancing has become the new norm, the Yass Valley community has come together online to offer support to each other during the coronavirus health crisis.
Local man Tom O'Dea got an idea going in the Yass Valley, setting up the Facebook page 'Yass community - COVID assistance group' to provide support to those affected by isolation and quarantine.
The group aims to help with home deliveries, shopping for the housebound, monitoring a phone number/email to manage requests for assistance, helping local charities work out what people need, home schooling ideas, and running a video call for people who are in isolation.
Six cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Yass Valley and 153 people had been tested as at 10.30am on Tuesday, March 31.
"The idea behind starting the group is to help people who are in self-isolation," Mr O'Dea said. "As the number of COVID-19 cases are increasing, more and more people are going to be in self-isolation and will need assistance. "The older people will not be able to leave their homes to do their day-to-day things, like getting groceries. They are going to need help with their daily chores."
Since the group began last week, Mr O'Dea has received a heartwarming community response with offers of help. "I am just someone who got the idea going," he said. "The group is for people who want to help and are committed to doing it."
Mr O'Dea is collating a list of services people can help with. "Once the list is prepared, we will start rostering for people to do things for the community," he said.
To ensure everyone's safety, certain rules have been put in place and people are requested to abide by the directives issued by the government. "If someone was in self-isolation, they must have a doctor's certificate stating they are free from any communicable disease," Mr O'Dea said. "Social distancing must be maintained by anyone involved at all times."
Fifty-one cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the health district (SNSWLHD) from 1925 tests as at 12pm on Wednesday, April 1.
To contact the group, you can email covidhelpyass@gmail.com and can call Craig on 0404914312.
