Australia’s largest Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning manufacturer, Seeley International is calling on the Federal and State Governments to confirm that it will be recognised as an Essential Service provider, should wider geographic and industry lockdowns come into force as part of escalating COVID-19 response measures.
Seeley International Group Managing Director, Mr Jon Seeley, said “Good heating and fresh air ventilation are essential to good health and must be maintained, especially going into winter. Viruses thrive in cold environments, which is why flu season peaks in winter.”
“If people don’t keep warm, they are far more susceptible to infection, and their respiratory symptoms will be much worse. More people will develop pneumonia from both COVID-19 and the flu, and more will die from it.”
“Our factories, distribution and service operations now have strict hygiene and containment protocols in place to protect our staff and customers. If we are forced to shut down, some 50,000 homes, workplaces, aged care facilities, hospitals and government offices across Australia simply will not get the heating and ventilation equipment and servicing they require to keep people safe and well this winter,” Mr Seeley said.
“This applies equally to our dealers and contractors providing critical heating and ventilation services across Australia and around the world. New Zealand and USA have both provided shut-down exemptions that cover our operations, and Australia needs to do the same.”
“We are providing an essential service to our country at this critical time, preventing the impending health crisis from becoming much worse than it needs to be. It is therefore imperative that any shutdown will not prevent us from continuing to supply these essential services.”
Seeley International joins a call by the Australian Industry Group to have the Federal Government urgently clarify its definition of what is an essential service that should remain in operation despite fast-changing COVID-19 containment measures, to minimise unintended and potentially disastrous consequences.