Lockdown spirit helps South East’s most vulnerable

From free meals to taxi rides, South Australia’s South East community is showing its true colours as residents band together during the state’s seven-day lockdown. 

Last week when Premier Steven Marshall announced the lockdown, many people were uncertain about what the week would look like under stay-at-home restrictions. 

During the uncertainty, businesses across the region sprung into action to look out for the community’s most vulnerable.

Lake City Taxis immediately decided to extend a helping hand.

“We offered a free service to any of our local supermarkets for any of our elderly or senior members of the community,” co-owner Tanya Tonkin said.

“We were aware that during this time that they can be struggling to get to where they need to go with family members in quarantine or lockdown, so we offered that service to be able to get them to where they need to go nice and safely.”

As an essential service operating 24 hours a day, Ms Tonkin said it helped keep drivers working through the quieter period.

Ms Tonkin said the company offered the service during previous lockdowns.

Free meals for most vulnerable

Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake Indian Restaurant also did their bit to assist the most vulnerable by offering free vegetarian meals to anyone in the community in need.

Owner Amit Sharma said there was no motive and lending a helping hand was part of his culture.

“It is in our blood to do things like this, my father used to do it back in India. It’s just what we do, help where we can,” he said.

Mr Sharma said he had been inundated with calls from people in the community looking to take up the offer.

“Ultimately we have still been well-supported by our customers during this period who have continued to purchase takeaway meals.”

Local spirit shines

Bay Blue Espresso Bar co-owner Erin Latchford praised the community for the outpouring of support for local businesses.

Her business remained open for takeaway during this lockdown.

“Everyone’s willing to spend their money local, and invest in their own community, which is awesome,” Ms Latchford said.

She said ensuring the safety of patrons was her number one focus.

“The only thing was to make sure our staff and our customers feel safe and let them know it was OK to have our doors open,” she said.

Today Premier Steven Marshall announced the state’s lockdown would end at midnight as planned.

Loading form…