The Department of Health is rolling out a new series of advertisements to address the new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic as restrictions ease on public gatherings, how businesses operate and regional travel.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth said restrictions could be relaxed because our number of new cases of COVID-19 was very low.
“Thanks to the efforts of all Australians, we are in a position that’s the envy of many countries,” Dr Coatsworth said.
“As we start to ease restrictions, it’s important that all Australians stay COVIDSafe.
“COVID-19 has not disappeared and we need to ensure all Australians know how to protect themselves and others. No one wants to see a second wave of infections.”
Dr Coatsworth said the new ads reminded people to take three steps to help create a COVIDSafe community when away from home:
- Practice physical distancing.
- Practice good hygiene.
- Use the COVIDSafe app.
He said the ads stressed the need for people to stay at home if they had any cold or flu symptoms – no matter how mild – and get tested for COVID-19.
Dr Coatsworth urged all Australians to join the almost six million people who had already downloaded and registered on the COVIDSafe app.
“It is an important part of our defence, already being used by states’ health workers to quickly find people exposed to the virus, giving us the confidence to know COVID-19 is not silently spreading through our community,” he said.
“The achievement and commitment of Australians in helping to fight COVID-19 and to flatten the coronavirus curve have been magnificent.
“We can all be proud.
“But our work is not finished.
“We are winning – but we have not yet won.
“We need everyone to stay focused on the things we need to do to protect ourselves and others as we find our new normal.” He said.
