National Cabinet warns public to only visit family members if both are well and free of symptoms in wake of recent COVID-19 outbreaks in Victoria – “periodic” outbreaks likely to continue

A warning from the top with repercussions for aged care and retirement living operators. Following its updated guidance to aged care homes on Friday, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has told the public that while the pandemic continues, they must:

• Follow current physical distancing requirements, even in parts of the country without identified active cases;
• Isolate and get tested when they experience even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms; and
• Only visit people including close family members if both you and they are well and symptom free.

Victoria has recorded 116 new coronavirus cases in the past week, 29 (25%) among returned travellers in hotel quarantine and 87 (75%) associated with community transmission. The AHPPC warns that it is probably the country will still experience “periodic” outbreaks given the rise in confirmed cases overseas and the numbers of Australians and Australian residents returning; and sporadic community transmission. Prime Minister Scott Morrison echoed this statement on Monday, saying that localised outbreaks were always expected as the country emerged from lockdown measures and the Victorian cases served as a “wake-up call”.