Future information on the COVID-19 threat is to be provided through a so-called traffic light system, including guidance on when and where people should wear face masks.
Chief Health Officer, Dr John Gerrard said the system would simplify health messaging at a time when living with COVID-19 was the reality and no longer treated as a public health emergency.
“Queenslanders have been dealing with COVID-19 for almost three years now, and all the way through they have shown an eagerness to do the right thing to protect themselves, their families and the community,” Dr Gerrard said.
“This new COVID-19 traffic light system will provide Queenslanders with an easy-to-understand guide to the level of risk posed by the virus and give advice on when they should consider increasing their personal protective measures — or when they can relax things a bit.”
He said there were three levels in the new system — green, amber and red — which would be communicated to the public via the Queensland Health website, social media accounts and through the media.
“When there are low rates of community transmission the traffic light setting will be green,” Dr Gerrard said.
“If you’re asked to wear a mask — for example, by a healthcare provider, or if you’re providing care to a vulnerable person — we ask that you cooperate with that request.”
He said if community transmission increased to moderate rates, the traffic light would change to amber when Queenslanders would be advised to wear masks in healthcare settings, indoors when they could not socially distance, on public transport, or if they were older or had other health issues.
“Should we reach the stage where community transmission gets back to high rates, we’ll change the traffic light setting to red, the highest of the three levels, Dr Gerrard said.
“People will be advised to follow all the advice for the amber and green colours, as well as wearing a mask while indoors, even when they can socially distance.”
He said the traffic light setting would be reviewed regularly, and the level would move up, down or stay the same depending on the rate of COVID-19 transmission in the community at the time.
More information about dealing with COVID 19 in Queensland can be accessed at the Government website at this PS News link.
