SA Government pushes for powers to detain suspected coronavirus sufferers
Suspected coronavirus sufferers would be detained by police under tough new laws the State Government wants to rush through Parliament – or even jailed if they refuse to obey orders.
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People suspected of having coronavirus could be immediately detained by authorities, and face arrest for the first time if they defy orders, under tough new powers to be rushed into law on Tuesday.
As authorities across the globe, including in Australia, battle to contain its threat, the State Government on Monday announced a raft of changes to public health legislation to prevent the virus from spreading.
In a series of dramatic measures revealed on Monday, the state’s Chief Public Health Officer will now be able to immediately quarantine anyone suspected of having the virus, and detain a person at any hospital or facility deemed necessary.
Under the proposed changes, signed off by State Cabinet on Monday, a sick person can also be forced to stay home.
Detention would be legally enforced by police or security guards if required.
The laws will be used with other public health outbreaks.
Until now, such decisions could only be made in writing and had to be approved by a magistrate. If a person refuses to obey the new orders they can be arrested and charged.
Under state law, those who deliberately breach the Public Health Act can face a maximum five years jail or fines of up to $250,000.
The laws, which will be introduced to parliament on Tuesday with Labor’s support, come after three South Australian virus cases.
The details emerged as cases escalated outside China including in South Korea, Iran and Italy. The virus is spread by droplets or close contact.
The nation’s Chief Medical Officer, Brendan Murphy, on Monday warned that stopping the virus spreading into Australia was “no longer possible” and the best that could be done was to slow the onslaught.
The Federal Government also suggested people could be banned from shopping centres, schools and workplaces.
As Sydney officials announced the first cases of person-to-person transmission in Australia, Attorney-General Christian Porter said tough biosecurity laws may have to be used for the first time.
Announcing the SA measures alongside Premier Steven Marshall and Health Minister Stephen Wade, Chief Public Health Officer Associate Professor Nicola Spurrier, pictured, said the changes would help stop an outbreak.
She said people should think about their travel and urged flu shots and proper hygiene, adding people needed to be “alert but not alarmed”.
Crossbench MPs were briefed on Monday night. Mr Marshall urged people not to panic amid reports of supermarket shelves being emptied by stockpiling.
He denied current legislation was unsafe but said SA could not have “set and forget laws”.
“I don’t think people should feel anxious,” he said. “What they should feel is assured that their Government is looking at all possible scenarios.”
In other developments:
PERTH man James Kwan, 78, became Australia’s first COVID-19 death on Sunday.
A WOMAN, 24, was in a stable condition in the RAH with mild symptoms after leaving the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
NSW authorities confirmed two possible person-to-person transmissions of the virus. One was the sister of a man with coronavirus who had recently returned from Iran, the other a healthcare worker in Sydney’s west.
TASMANIA confirmed its first case – a 40-year-old man who recently returned from Iran and tested positive.
In SA, a Chinese couple, both aged 60, have recovered.
The Advertiser has learned they were doctors, who arrived in Adelaide from the virus’ epicentre, Wuhan, in January. They attended an eastern suburbs auction at Firle to bid on a house for their daughter. After being reinterviewed by public health officials they handed over their mobile phones.
Dr Spurrier told The Advertiser there was no public health reason to release their professions or residential details.