Gore District Council staff will be swapping their day jobs to help out in the community when and where they are needed.

Following yesterday’s declaration of a state of emergency, in response to the COVID-19 level 4 lockdown, an emergency operations centre (EOC) has been set up in Gore, with staff working remotely under the direction of Dr Ian Davidson-Watts.

The EOC will work under the guidance of Emergency Management Southland, which activated its emergency control centre (ECC) yesterday.

Dr Davidson-Watts said the council team would support the community through the four week lockdown and beyond if need be.

“We are here to coordinate the community response by linking the skills and resources we already have in the District, with where it is needed.

“That could range from organising the delivery of groceries to someone in self-isolation to referring a person to the right website for information. Sometimes it’s about helping people, help themselves.”

The Council has set up a dedicated email [email protected] and phone number 03 748-0170 for those in need as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown to contact.

The phone number will be manned during office hours. It will be available this weekend. However, continued weekend cover will be assessed on a weekly basis.

Dr Davidson-Watts stressed these were only for Gore District residents in need of support.

“If you are unwell, or think you have been exposed to COVID-19 you need to follow the Government’s advice to contact your GP or the Healthline 0800 358 5453.”

Those dealing with anxiety or distressed by the pandemic can call or text 1737 any time of the day or week to talk to a trained counsellor, he said.

The Council’s emergency response team for COVID-19 was at the fore of leading the response during the recent flooding.

“The big difference is the response to the floods was a sprint, whereas this is going to be a marathon.”

Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks said the Gore District’s strength was its people. He had no doubt the community would rise to the occasion yet again.

“This is day one of a 28 day lockdown. It is the new normal and it’s going to test many of us.”

“There is no script, no past experiences to draw on. All we can ask for is that people are kind, patient and show resilience.”

During the flooding many council staff put the community first. They will do that again in this crisis, but people have to remember staff are just as affected by the lockdown as anyone else, Mr Hicks said.