Call for rethink of social distancing to counter ‘fleeting’ infection

Tom Burton and Tom McIlroy

Updated Jun 21, 2021 – 7.32pm, first published at 6.48pm

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Social distancing, density rules, QR check-ins and the COVIDSafe app need to be reassessed and strengthened after NSW and Victoria found evidence of “fleeting” infection, with experts calling for greater focus on ensuring air ventilation and a more cautious approach to the highly infectious delta variant.

The call for different public health strategies to cope with aerosol infection came as the federal authorities briefed National Cabinet about the likely vaccine supplies they can expect, with assurances that 1300 GPs and all Commonwealth respiratory clinics would be distributing the Pfizer vaccine by the end of July.

Tom Burton has held senior editorial and publishing roles with The Mandarin, The Sydney Morning Herald and as Canberra bureau chief for The Australian Financial Review. He has won three Walkley awards.

Tom McIlroy is the Financial Review’s Canberra bureau chief based in the press gallery at Parliament House. He was previously the AFR’s political correspondent.