Page 940 - Week 04 - Thursday, 7 May 2020
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In saying this, the pandemic is ongoing, and we have seen in other jurisdictions that clusters can develop quickly. We must also be cognisant that there may not be a cure or a vaccine this year or next. We must all remain vigilant and continue the health and hygiene practices that have got us to this point.
Madam Speaker, public health emergency directions have been in place in the ACT since 19 March 2020. I updated members on 2 April regarding the directions that were in place, which have been necessary to protect the community from the spread of COVID-19. These directions now include: limits on the size of non-essential outdoor gatherings to two people, other than for household groups; the prohibition of non-essential indoor gatherings of greater than two people or a household group, other than for households visiting one another or two people visiting a residential premises; the closure of non-essential businesses or undertakings; the self-quarantine of returning overseas travellers; restrictions around access to residential aged-care facilities; and self-isolation requirements for individuals diagnosed with COVID-19.
These have been difficult decisions to make but are consistent with measures agreed by national cabinet. I know there are many Canberrans who have been affected by the closure of businesses and services and the resulting unemployment or underemployment.
We are carefully assessing the situation every week and closely following the expert advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and decisions of national cabinet to guide decisions on when it is safe to start easing these restrictions.
Last Friday, the Chief Minister announced that the ACT government would take its first careful steps to relax some restrictions. From 11.59 pm on 1 May 2020, the direction regarding gatherings at residential premises was adjusted to allow one household to visit another, as noted. In addition, the Chief Minister announced that Canberrans would no longer be discouraged from leaving their home for non-essential shopping purposes or outdoor passive recreation. Discussions regarding further relaxation of measures are continuing at national cabinet this week and I anticipate that there will be further announcements about plans to gradually ease restrictions.
Madam Speaker, the initial actions and measures we have taken have been successful in slowing and reversing the growth of cases and ensuring that the ACT’s health system can cope with COVID-19 and has the capacity to surge when and if required.
In the last two weeks there has only been one new case notified in the ACT, and we continue to find no evidence of sustained community transmission, despite a ramp-up in our testing. We have worked to ensure that our testing and tracing surveillance systems are fully equipped to monitor the virus and put us in a position to quickly respond to and contain any further outbreak. Strengthening our surveillance provides us with further confidence that detected cases represent a very high proportion of actual infections.
The ACT government has also taken decisions to ensure that we are prepared for all eventualities. We are partnering with Aspen Medical to deliver a temporary
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