Keeping Australians safe and healthy is our Government’s number one priority.
As at 6:00am this morning (18 March), there were 31 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in Western Australia and 454 cases across Australia.
In light of these statistics, as your Federal representative, I am urging the community not to panic and over react, but take a common sense approach to going about our daily lives and activities.
Please be considerate of fellow Australians at the shops, in public situations, and continue to support local small businesses, in a sensible way, as keeping our society functioning is essential in the long term.
We have already taken significant steps to contain the virus and to delay community transmission in Australia. This includes a comprehensive $2.4 billion health package to protect all Australians, including vulnerable groups such as the elderly, those with chronic conditions and Indigenous communities.
Our core objective now is to slow the spread of coronavirus in Australia by taking additional steps to delay the impact and slow the rate of growth of the virus.
Both the Federal and State Governments have put measures in place, including banning public gatherings, preventing cruise ships from entering Australia, and requiring all people arriving from overseas to self-isolate for 14 days.
As the situation is changing rapidly, I encourage everyone to stay up to date with the latest information about the spread of COVID-19 and the steps being taken to slow the spread by going to the Department of Health website.
If you are concerned, you can call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Below is some further information to assist you and your loved ones. I will also continue to share updates on my Facebook page.
NATIONAL CABINET FOR CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE
The Council of Australian Governments agreed on 13 March 2020 to establish a National Cabinet to coordinate Australia’s Coronavirus Response across State and Territory Governments and the Commonwealth Government (‘National Cabinet’).
The National Cabinet will consider and coordinate national Coronavirus preparedness and response measures to deal with the health, economic, societal and public safety impacts of the virus. It will aim to ensure agreed measures are implemented and communicated as consistently and effectively as possible nation-wide.
The National Cabinet will comprise the Prime Minister, State Premiers and Territory Chief Ministers.
It will be supported by the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and his State and Territory counterparts.
The National Cabinet will provide strategic oversight of, and be supported by, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPCC) and the National Coordination Mechanism (NCM).
The National Cabinet will meet weekly and as often as required.
WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitiser that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
Stay home if you are sick and don’t expose others. If you are unwell with flu-like symptoms, do not go outside your property or home, do not go to work, school or shops unless it is essential.
Get vaccinated for influenza this season when it becomes available. It is not yet known whether COVID-19 could significantly increase the risks of influenza infection.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU DEVELOP SYMPTOMS
Support our health system - only seek medical attention if you have symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat, and:
have returned from overseas travel in the last 14 days; or
are a contact of a confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) case; or
believe you may have been in close contact with a person infected with Coronavirus (COVID-19).
As the situation develops, the latest Western Australian specific information is available at:
Western Australian Department of Health
Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly.
People with Coronavirus (COVID-19) may experience:
fever
flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue
shortness of breath
If you develop symptoms
If you develop symptoms (fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath) within 14 days of leaving a country or region that is at higher risk for Coronavirus (COVID-19), or within 14 days of last contact of a confirmed case, you should arrange to see your doctor for urgent assessment. Go to www.health.gov.au/covid19-travellers for the current list of high or moderate risk countries.
You should telephone the health clinic or hospital before you arrive and tell them your travel history or that you may have been in contact with a potential case of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
You must remain isolated either in your home or a healthcare setting until public health authorities inform you it is safe for you to return to your usual activities.
If you would prefer to speak by phone to a Health Professional call Health Direct on 1800 020 080.
If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing
call 000 and ask for an ambulance
tell the ambulance officers that you may have novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection
UPDATED TRAVEL ADVICE - 18 March
It is now advised that Australians do not travel overseas at this time. If you wish to return home, do so as soon as possible.
We have issued this advice for two principal reasons:
There may be a higher risk of contracting Coronavirus (COVID-19) overseas. You may come in contact with more people than usual, including during long-haul flights and in crowded airports. Health care systems in some countries may come under strain and may not be as well-equipped as Australia’s or have the capacity to support foreigners. You may not have your normal support networks overseas.
Overseas travel has become more complex and unpredictable. Many countries are introducing entry or movement restrictions. These are changing often and quickly. Your travel plans may be disrupted. You may be placed in quarantine or denied entry to some countries, and you may need to self-quarantine on return to Australia. Think about what this might mean for your health, and your family, work or study responsibilities.
If you’re overseas and can’t or don’t want to return to Australia, follow the advice of local authorities. Take care to minimise your risk of exposure to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
If you’re travelling or returning to Australia and arrive from 12am on 16 March, you will be required to self-isolate (Coronavirus COVID-19 isolation guidance) for 14 days. This applies to all travellers, including Australian citizens. For details see the Australian Border Force website.
Contact your airline, travel agent or insurance company to discuss your travel plans and options for cancelling or postponing current bookings, or to arrange flights back to Australia.
All cruise ships which have sailed from a foreign port have been banned from entering Australian ports for 30 days.
Please find the most up to date information from smartraveller below. To keep up to date on future travel advice, go to:
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/coronavirus-covid-19
For urgent consular assistance contact:
+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 from within Australia
+61 421 269 080 from SMS
For non-urgent inquiries, email smartraveller@dfat.gov.au
ONGOING UPDATES
Our primary source of Coronavirus (COVID-19) information specific to Western Australia continues to be the Department for Health. For information or to get in contact, go to the link below:
Western Australian Department of Health
If you require further information, you can also call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing
call 000 and ask for an ambulance
tell the ambulance officers that you may have novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection