It could be time to download the COVIDSafe app.
The Chief Medical Officer has revealed a greater uptake of the coronavirus tracing app will calm the concerns about containing the virus, and give leaders the ability to be more “bold” in easing restrictions.
CMO Brendan Murphy says that about more than 4.25 million Australians – representing about a quarter of adults – with a smartphone had downloaded the COVIDSafe App, but he is wanting to see that number increase to give our leaders more confidence in easing coronavirus-imposed restrictions.
The COVIDSafe App is designed to give state and territory health officials the ability to quickly identify people who might have come into contact with a person who tests positive to coronavirus.
“The more people that download the app, the more confidence the National Cabinet will have about that one aspect of our preparedness that we’re still a little bit anxious about — the capacity to really get on top of contacts as soon as possible,” Professor Murphy said.
This comes ahead of a National Cabinet meeting slated for Friday which leaders are set to discuss restrictions that have been imposed for more than a month.
National Cabinet has set three tests Australia would need to pass in order to ease restrictions, which have included the closure of gyms, entertainment facilities and dining in at cafes and restaurants. Those conditions include greater testing for the virus, greater contact tracing and the ability for the healthcare sector to contain a surge in cases.
The Chief Medical Officer said while there was a likely easing of some restrictions this week, Australia would have to contend with long-term changes even after the pandemic ends.
“I think in so many parts of our society, hygiene practices need to change,” Professor Murphy said. “Even when the coronavirus has gone, that will have influences on influenza, colds, gastro, all of those things.
“We, as a first-world, very wealthy country, have probably become a bit too relaxed about hygiene and I think it’s time that we focus on those things [we] have learned from these measures.
National Cabinet will meet twice this week — on Tuesday and Friday.
The Friday meeting is when the Prime Minister flagged restrictions would be considered, a week earlier than originally planned.
“Australians have earned an early mark through the work that they have done,” he said on Friday.