The Minister for Health has declared a Public Health Emergency in the ACT in response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation across Australia.
The Minister, Rachel Stephen-Smith said her declaration allowed the Chief Health Officer to take any action, or give any direction, considered to be necessary to protect Canberrans and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the ACT.
“This is the first time a Public Health Emergency has been declared in the ACT,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“It is one of the best signals we can provide to the community to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
She said that with three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Territory to date, the declaration decision was made now to ensure consistency across all States and Territories and enable the Chief Health Officer to take required actions to keep Canberrans safe.
“Following the Commonwealth Government’s announcement that all people arriving in Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days, we are asking the Canberrans to take this instruction seriously,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“This is a measure that has been put in place to slow down the spread of this rapidly evolving disease.”
She said the National Cabinet, which met last Tuesday (17 March), also endorsed the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) to introduce social distancing measures.
“This includes the requirement that non-essential, organised public gatherings of more than 500 people should not occur,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
She said there was no requirement for schools to close based on health advice but did recommend that ACT schools suspend sports carnivals and large concerts; consider postponing school fetes; and begin postponing excursions.
“Public schools are also planning for digital delivery of lessons, if it becomes required,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
She said ACT Health and ACT Education would continue to work together to ensure decisions made were based on the most up to date health advice available.
“We are asking for the community’s support to ensure these measures are followed and that we are all doing the right thing to protect one another,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
