Add Category
Updated
The head of the ACT's peak body for doctors has urged people not to attend the Canberra Raiders season opener, as Saturday night's Skyfire — Canberra's biggest fireworks event — is postponed until later this year.
Key points:
- The ACT recorded its first case of coronavirus on Thursday, meaning COVID-19 is now Australia-wide
- Canberrans are being urged to avoid large gatherings with over 500 people
- ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr says schools, workplaces, public transport or airports are so far unaffected
The Raiders game went ahead despite the Federal Government's announcement that all organised gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled from Monday.
Australian Medical Association (AMA) ACT president Antonio Di Dio said on Friday morning that Canberrans needed to exercise caution and avoid social contact amid the coronavirus outbreak.
"We need to be ahead of the curve not behind it," Dr Di Dio said, adding that "good leadership is about making painful decisions that people hate, and making them early".
"Scientific data tells us that in all the epidemics over the years, going back as far as 1918, large gatherings were a huge problem in the early stages," he added.
"I've been looking forward for months to the Raiders game and I've been a member for many years and I bleed green … but there's a chunk of Bay 54 that will be missing my family and it's very, very sad.
"But my goodness me, it's better to be safe than to take unnecessary risks."
Dr Di Dio's warning comes as radio station Hit 104.7 announced on-air that Skyfire 2020 has been postponed until later in the year.
"We love Skyfire but your health is our priority," announcers said at lunchtime on Friday.
In a statement issued later, general manager Craig Wagstaff said that "as the largest single-day public gathering on the Canberra calendar, the health and safety of all involved is paramount."
The National Portrait Gallery have also taken the advice onboard, cancelling Friday's launch of the National Photographic Portrait Prize.
Instead the winner of the prize — Rob Palmer, for his photograph of Sydney chef Josh Niland — was announced on their website.
"I know this is a disappointing development, but the health of my staff, our visitors and the wider community is of utmost importance," Portrait Gallery director Karen Quinlan said.
"We are following the advice of health professionals, who have recommended the cancellation of all large gatherings of people.
ACT will fall in line with other states and territories
Earlier on Friday the ACT Government's advice conflicted with that of Dr Di Dio.
On ABC Radio Canberra, ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said Canberrans should be enjoying themselves while they can.
"We don't have that community transmission, so this weekend, I think that advice stands," she said.
"At this point in time, our advice for Canberrans is that this weekend, get out and enjoy yourself, particularly because this situation could change quickly."
The Office for Multicultural Affairs also issued a statement which said that "the ACT Government is not considering cancelling any planned public events".
But later today, after a COAG meeting between the states and territories, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the ACT would fall in line with other jurisdictions.
He said the coronavirus outbreak was likely to last for months and that the advice to reconsider non-essential international travel and cancel events attracting more than 500 people was a proportionate response.
But Mr Barr said the advice affecting crowd limits did not include schools, workplaces, public transport or airports.
"This is something we will be dealing with for the next year so we can't lock down for a year. We need a risk-based and cautious approach that we can incrementally build if the circumstances require."
On Friday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews decided there would be no spectators at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne due to concerns about coronavirus.
In addition to the Grand Prix crowd cancellation, Australia's One Day International series against New Zealand will be played behind closed doors.
Cricket Australia announced that two matches would be played in an empty Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday and Sunday, with a third match scheduled for next Friday at Hobart's Blundstone Arena.
The World Cup-winning women's team have had their South Africa tour suspended.
So what should Canberrans do?
Dr Di Dio has urged "social distancing" wherever possible.
"It might be a few days early, but it's still the right time to avoid social interaction as much as possible," he said.
"It is another level. It is true that being cautious early, and sensible early, might be interpreted as causing panic, but it's also bloody sensible."
However, the ACT Health Directorate is still advising that only those who have returned to Australia from mainland China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, or those who have been in close contact with a person who has been confirmed with COVID-19, should self-quarantine.
If you fit this criteria, the preferred walk-in centre for assessment is in Weston Creek, and you should "ensure you use a mask and hand sanitiser available at the front door".
The consistent message is that "focusing on good hygiene practices, especially hand hygiene, will reduce your risk of getting sick and help to prevent the spread of germs".
People should also avoid touching their face, particularly their mouth and eyes.
The ACT Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerryn Coleman, said that "now is the time for us to remain calm and come together in the community".
"We have been practising and preparing for this for many weeks now," she said.
"I can reassure everyone that the hospital and our health staff are very well prepared for this.
"We are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the ongoing safety of staff and patients."
ACT records first COVID-19 case
The AMA ACT's recommendation to avoid public events comes after Canberra recorded its first case of coronavirus yesterday.
In a press conference yesterday morning, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the man with COVID-19, in his 30s, became unwell on Tuesday, and returned a positive result to tests on Thursday morning.
He had not been overseas in the past fortnight, but had travelled interstate.
"I regret to inform Canberrans that we have our first case of COVID-19 in the territory," Mr Barr said.
"We were, of course, expecting COVID-19 to come to the territory, and following this confirmation now every state and territory in Australia has a confirmed case.
"We are expecting more in the coming weeks."
Ms Stephen-Smith confirmed that "all of the close contacts of that person were tracked down and are either self-isolating or being tested as required, so we don't have that community transmission".
Dr Coleman also reiterated that "the community can be reassured that there is no risk to the general community from this case and people should go about their daily lives as normal".
Topics: diseases-and-disorders, health, infectious-diseases-other, nrl, rugby-league, sport, local-government, government-and-politics, canberra-2600, act
First posted