The tech firm hired by the Victorian Government to handle communications with people confirmed to have coronavirus was only asked to use languages outside of English on Monday, according to the Australian Financial Review.
Citing unnamed sources, the outlet claims Whispir was given the directive more than two months after the company was first asked to solicit test results, communicate with folks in quarantine, and help with contact tracing efforts.
Language had been a “blind spot” in the state’s fight against the pandemic, an anonymous source told the AFR.
The claim comes amid concerns over rising case numbers in the local government areas of Brimbank, Hume, Darebin, Moreland, Casey, and Cardinia.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Victoria’s Health Minister Jenny Mikakos acknowledged those regions are home to many people who don’t use English as a first language.
The government’s messaging is “designed to make sure we are reaching our public health message to everyone in our state [so] everyone is aware of the risks and obligations,” she said.
“We acknowledge the challenges in some communities for whom English may not be their first language in understanding the public health messaging, and this is why we are going to double our efforts in working with those communities,” she added.
Door-knocking efforts and roundtable discussions with community leaders will be held in impacted communities, she said.
PEDESTRIAN.TV has reached out to Whispir and the office of the Minster for Health for comment.
We have information about staying safe and doing your bit to #SlowTheSpread of #coronavirus (#COVID19) in multiple languages.
Share them with your community: https://t.co/lQ1DjM6vTv #CALD #COVID19Vic pic.twitter.com/d55lqzCTCx
— Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) June 22, 2020
If you think you may have coronavirus, either call your doctor (DON’T visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you’re struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
And please remember to wash your hands frequently (for at least 20 seconds) and keep at least 1.5 metres between you and those around you.
