The Department of Health has issued updated advice to the public regarding novel coronavirus, following new recommendations from Australia’s Chief Medical Officer.
In a statement, the Department said the updated advice was based on a report from the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Brendan Murphy on behalf of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).
“The AHPPC has recommended that, effective immediately, people who have been in contact with confirmed novel coronavirus cases must be isolated in their home for 14 days following exposure,” the Department said.
“Returned travellers who have been in Hubei Province of China must be isolated in their home for 14 days after leaving Hubei Province other than for seeking individual medical care.”
It said that given the low number of cases in China reported outside of Hubei province, the AHPPC was not currently recommending self-isolation for travellers from other parts of China or other countries.
“The Government is closely monitoring the development of cases outside of Hubei Province and will update this advice if necessary,” it said.
“In making these recommendations the AHPPC noted that the evidence for pre-symptomatic transmission of novel coronavirus is currently limited, and this policy is highly precautionary.”
The Department said the aim of the policy was containment of novel coronavirus and the prevention of person-to-person transmission within Australia.
