A new volunteer community coordination effort has been launched to help Mandurah's most vulnerable as the coronavirus continues to spread.
Dawesville MP, and Shadow Health Minister, Zak Kirkup has put the service together to support elderly and vulnerable people in the Peel region.
Those who might need help, particularly during any period of self-isolation, will be matched with volunteers in the community to help them with any shopping, or to check in to make sure they are okay.
Mr Kirkup said the service was essential to look after all residents in the community during a "very disruptive time".
"To help prepare, my team and I will be calling everyone in my district aged over 65 to check in and make sure they are okay and prepared," he said.
"If they think they might need help, we'll try and match them up with volunteers from across Mandurah.
"This can be for simple things like a daily call to check in, or helping get urgently needed household supplies.
"All of this would be done safely in accordance with advice from the chief health officer."
Mr Kirkup has been vocal about his concerns regarding a potential coronavirus outbreak in Mandurah, calling on the state government to set up a fever clinic at Peel Health Campus and blasting the Health Minister for delaying upgrades to the hospital's emergency department.
"With Mandurah having one of the most senior populations in the state, it is likely that a COVID-19 outbreak is going to have a substantial impact on our community," he said.
Read more:
- Peel Health Campus emergency department upgrades not due to start until October
- Shadow Health Minister blasts state government over Peel Health Campus upgrade delay
- 'Our priority must be health and safety': Health Minister defends decision to delay Peel Health Campus upgrades
- Shadow Health Minister calls for coronavirus fever clinic to be set up at Peel Health Campus
The move comes after Woolworths announced it would open its doors exclusively to the elderly and people with disabilities for an extra hour, after panic buying stripped shelves of essential items.
Most supermarkets across the nation will open for an extra hour from 7-8am from March 17 to help those most vulnerable.
Access will be granted if the shopper has a relevant government issued concession card while all other shoppers will be granted access after 8am.
"The move has been prompted by the unprecedented demand in supermarkets over the past week, which has seen many elderly and vulnerable people in the community missing out on vital items they may need when they shop," Woolworths announced on Monday.
Community members and residents in the Peel region are being encouraged to help out as a volunteer.
To register, call Mr Kirkup's office on 9534 3200 or visit kirkup.com.au/covidhelp.