At a time when the world is grappling with a health emergency, we must follow the advice of health experts, support each other and stand strong as a community.
It is not a time to isolate, undermine or discriminate against others.
We are deeply concerned to see the emergence of racism overseas, and now here in Australia, in response to the Coronavirus.
We are disappointed to see overt and subtle racism in media reporting and on social media towards people of Chinese heritage.
There is never an excuse for racism.
It is simply unacceptable and we cannot let this occur here in Victoria.
Victoria is a proud, strong and successful multicultural society. And when we are faced with a crisis of any kind, we come together and support each other as we have seen with the response to the bushfire crisis.
The coronavirus poses a serious threat to the health of people across the world. We fully support the Australian authorities and our Victorian health system to guide us through this crisis.
We commend our scientists for their breakthroughs and collaboration with experts across the globe in endeavouring to develop protections against such threats.
We ask people to show compassion towards individuals, families and communities here and overseas who are affected by the virus.
For up-to-date information and translated resources on the coronavirus visit the Department of Health and Human .
Reviewed 23 June 2021