[Edited extract from public address]
In Brief:
- The Prime Minister declares a 'human biosecurity emergency' announcing new restrictions 18/3.
- EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY gatherings of 100 or more people indoors are banned.
- Gatherings of more than 500 people outdoors is also banned.
- Advice from both the Prime Minister and Premier is that schools should remain open.
- Unprecedented travel advice has also been issued to all Australian citizens: "Do Not Travel Abroad. Do not go overseas."
Government 'human biosecurity emergency'
"Life is changing in Australia, as it is changing all around the world. Life is going to continue to change, as we deal with the global coronavirus. We are looking at a situation of at least six months for how we deal with this. It could be much longer than that. It could be shorter. That is unlikely, given the way we are seeing events unfold. A human biosecurity emergency has been declared" Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Restrictions on the size of gatherings
- Effectively immediately all non-essential gatherings of 100 people or more indoors are prohibited.
- Non-essential gatherings of 500 or more people outdoors are prohibited.
- The Prime Minister signalled that this direction could change in the near future. Community leaders should expect that the number of those permitted to gather will further reduce.
- This direction has particular significance for religious places of worship and scheduled gatherings.
Government advice regarding Schools
The Prime Minister says schools will remain open in an approach modelled on Singapore's successful approach and on the recommendation of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).
"The health advice here, supported by all the premiers, all the chief ministers and my Government is that schools should remain open.
"There are a number of reasons for this. The first one is that the virus operates very differently amongst younger people. It has a different manifestation amongst younger people and that presents a very different health challenge to the broader population. In terms of the health and welfare of our children, many of us here are parents and obviously we are concerned about the health of our kids and the health advice that I'm happy to follow for my kids, for Jenny and my kids, is the same health advice I am asking all other parents around the country to follow.
"There is only one reason your kids shouldn't be going to school and that is if they are unwell" Prime Minister Morrison said.
Travel advice
Australia's travel advice for the entire world has been upgraded to DO NOT TRAVEL ABROAD for the first time in history.
Australians that are currently overseas, who wish to return to Australia, do so as soon as possible by commercial means. Commercial travel options may quickly become limited.
Anyone arriving from overseas - including Australian citizens - will be required to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of their arrival.
Domestic air travel has been deemed low-risk by the National Cabinet on COVID-19.
The Government has indicated that they will consider further social distancing arrangements for domestic transport at its next meeting on Friday 20 March 2020.
Places Exempt from the bans on the number of people gathering
The following organisations are exempt from the ban on non-essential gatherings of more than 100 people indoors and 500 people or more outdoors:
- Airports, train and tram stations, buses and planes
- Medical and healthcare services and facilities
- Emergency services facilities
- Disability and aged care facilities
- Correctional facilities and youth justice centres (including other places of custody)
- Courts, tribunals and Parliament
- Supermarkets, food markets, grocery stores, retail stores and shopping centres
- Office buildings, factories, construction sites, mining sites and other workplaces necessary for their normal operation.
Settings like gyms, indoor fitness centres and swimming pools are not required to close at this time providing they meet these requirements for social distancing and hand hygiene.
Such venues should take actions to ensure regular high standards of environmental cleaning take place.
CORRECTION: regarding wording of advice from the Melbourne Chevra Kadisha
Please note that the advice provided in the Update 2 heading was incorrectly worded.
The Melbourne Chevra Kadisha's advice is that while assisting all families following the passing of a loved one (irrespective of the cause of death), their Funeral Attendants will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Social distancing measures are now critically important
All organisations remaining open should be implementing social distancing measures and enhanced hygiene procedures. This includes:
- Maintaining a distance of at least 1.5 metres between people
- Washing hands with soap AND using hand-sanitiser regularly but particularly after coughing, sneezing, handling food and visiting the bathroom
- Frequently clearing of rubbish bins indoors; and
- Enhanced cleaning procedures. Guidance on environmental cleaning can be found here.
We all have a role to play in stopping the spread of COVID-19
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has reminded everyone that protective measures such as washing your hands often and not touching your eyes, nose or mouth can help stop the spread of COVID-19 and help 'flatten the curve.'
If your organisation is still open, please ensure you have these posters displays in washrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, entrances and exits.
The COVID-19 Taskforce FAQ webpage
The Victorian Jewish Community COVID-19 Taskforce FAQ webpage has been updated to reflect today's change in advice from the Government.
Where to find more information:
For further information as this dynamic situation continues to evolve, please ensure you keep up-to-date via the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website.
Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
Take care,
Victorian Jewish Community COVID-19 Taskforce
MORE:
Victorian Jewish Community COVID-19 Taskforce
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV)
Address: Beth Weizmann Community Centre, 306 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield South, VIC 3162, Australia
Tel: +61 3 9272 5566
Email covid19@csgvic.com.au