Life has gotten a whole lot lonelier for Wagga's elderly residents, who are being forced to cloister themselves away as the coronavirus risk intensifies.
One of them is 80-year-old Charles Baker, who suffers from respiratory problems that put him highly at risk of dying from coronavirus if he were to catch it.
As a result he has had to give up his beloved past-time of golf and shut himself away from friends and family, but he is at least kept company by his 74-year-old wife Gayle Baker.
Their daughter comes by to deliver groceries, but she leaves them at the door and avoids meeting them face-to-face in a bid to curb the risk of contagion.
Mrs Baker said the two of them used to have a vibrantly active social life, but were having to adjust to a much lonelier existence.
"I normally play golf and tennis, and I would go out for cards, meals, and coffee with friends - that's all over now," Mrs Baker said.
Wagga retiree David Longmore said he has seen nothing like it in all his 80 years of living, even after having gone through World War II, the Global Financial Crisis, and waves of other epidemics.
"It's a total disaster. I've never seen anything like it in my lifetime and I'll never see it again," Mr Longmore said.
"This is just crazy."
Mr Longmore said that he isn't worried about his own health, which remains extraordinarily robust for an 80-year-old.
"I'm not concerned. I'm fairly active for an 80-year-old," Mr Longmore said.
"I'm more worried about the people who have lost their jobs, especially if they are paying off a mortgage."
Mr Longmore used to go dancing with friends and volunteer for community radio, but will now have to adjust to a quieter lifestyle in the age of coronavirus.
"Hopefully this doesn't last too long," Mr Longmore said.
'Don't ignore the advice': COTA
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia is urging all older Australians to the heed government advice, announced by the Prime Minister on Sunday, to stay home to the maximum extent practicable and to take very careful precautions when outside their home.
COTA Australia chief executive Ian Yates said the Prime Minister's very strong advice for all people over 70, all Indigenous Australians over 50 and anyone over 60 with a chronic illness, to primarily stay in their home was a sensible, measured approach to an evolving situation.
"The government has most strongly advised everyone over the age of 70 to stay home for their own protection," Mr Yates said.
"We know that older people, and people with underlying health conditions are at greater risk of serious illness because of COVID-19, which means they must limit interactions which could bring them into contact with the virus. It's not worth the risk to ignore this advice
"However, this does not mean that older Australians should shut themselves in their homes and not go outside at all.
"Exercise and fresh air are critical to keeping people healthy, and to mental health and wellbeing.
"With precautions, older people should still walk the dog, or go for a walk by themselves, or undertake other regular activities that will help to maintain their muscles and fitness, and enjoy the outdoors in a safe way.
"They should also continue to shop for essentials where it is not possible for someone else to do this for them, but they should also consider trying out online ordering and home delivery if they have access to the internet."
Elderly 'won't be alone'
The government has moved to ensure senior Australians are not socially isolated as a result of visitor restrictions imposed because of COVID-19.
The $1.1 billion funding package announced at the weekend includes $10 million for the Community Visitors Scheme.
It will support extra staff to train volunteer visitors, who will connect with people in aged care both online and by phone, and help seniors to keep in touch with the community and loved ones.
"This support will ensure the most vulnerable Australians remain connected with family, friends and the vital support services they need," said Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck.
The aged care industry has received an extra $444 million to reinforce the workforce and training.
An online infection prevention and control training module has already been completed by more than 25,000 staff.
The Australian National Aged Care Classification assessment trial, the 2020 Aged Care Approval Round and the implementation of the home care payment alignment project have been postponed for at least six months.
"The risk of serious illness from COVID-19 increases with age, so we want to make sure senior Australians are not at increased risk by exposure to non-essential visitors, including assessors," Mr Colbeck said.
(More than 7000 aged care classification assessment trials have so far been completed across 120 facilities).
The aged care approval round was due to open in March, but is now postponed for at least six months.
Mr Colbeck said this delay would allow providers to "concentrate their efforts on helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 instead of filling in application forms".
The implementation of improvements to payment administration arrangements for home care packages to align with other government programs, such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme, are also on hold.
Important COVID-19 information:
A fact sheet for senior Australians - HERE
Advice for retirement villages - HERE
Guidelines for in-home care workers - HERE
Guidelines for workers in residential aged care - HERE
Information for families and residents regarding visits - HERE
COTA is providing regular updates for older Australians about COVID-19 - HERE