Andrew Leigh

The ACT Government has established a coronavirus hotline -- (02) 6207 7244 (Open 8am-8pm daily)

The COVIDSafe app speeds up contacting people exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19). This helps health officials support and protect you, your friends and family. The app is now available from the Apple App Store and Google Play

Testing for coronavirus is now available to every Australian with mild respiratory symptoms including a cough and sore throat. Read more.

This information is current as of the 28th of April 2020.

A full list of resources from ACT Health can be found here. 

Another list of Australian Federal Government resources is here.

Business closures

The following businesses have been restricted from opening by the federal government:

• pubs, registered and licensed clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues)
• hotels (excluding accommodation)
• gyms and indoor sporting venues
• cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos and night clubs
• restaurants and cafes (except for takeaway and/or home delivery)
• religious gatherings, places of worship or funerals (in enclosed spaces and other than very small groups and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies)
• food courts (except for take away)
• auction houses, real estate auctions and open houses
• personal services (beauty, nail, tanning, waxing and tattoo salons)
• spa and massage parlours, excluding health related services such as physiotherapy
• amusement parks, arcades and play centres (indoor and outdoor)
• strip clubs, brothels and sex on premises venues.
• galleries, national institutions, historic sites and museums
• health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre and spin facilities, saunas, bathhouses, wellness centres and swimming pools
• community facilities such as community halls, libraries and youth centres, RSL venues and PCYC
• gaming and gambling venues
• indoor and outdoor markets (excluding food markets). States and territories will make their own announcements about this.

For information on events and gatherings:

• ACT Health information can be found here.
• Australian Government information can be found here.

The social distancing measures that aim to limit the spread of COVID-19 are in line with the best medical advice. Labor is supportive of these measures.

Staying Healthy

Respiratory clinics are being set up in public-private partnerships across the country.

On a personal level, you’ve probably heard the latest public health messages. Wash your hands for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing the chorus to the Bee Gees ‘Stayin’ Alive’). Replace handshakes and cheek kisses with an elbow bump or a funky shoe tap. In conversation, maintain the personal distances of a sheep farmer rather than a swing dancer. If you must sneeze, sneeze like Dracula: pull up your cape until your nose is in the crook of your elbow.

If you’re feeling unwell, the Federal Health Department and ACT Health Department websites have more information about available services.

Society isn’t just a collection of isolated individuals – we’re a community connected by strong bonds. The coming weeks will determine whether we choose to allow this crisis to fray our connections, or treat it as an opportunity to build deeper ties with one another. It will determine whether we hunker down and ignore the most vulnerable, or whether we reach out and look after those who are suffering the most through this period.