Australia on pandemic footing as emergency response activated

Australia has activated emergency protocols after calling the coronavirus a global pandemic. Find out what that means, what happens next and how it will impact you.

AUSTRALIA has become the first country in the world to declare the deadly coronavirus a global pandemic, activating its emergency response plan to the Covid-19 sweeping the globe.

Fever clinics will be readied to roll out immediately in the event of an outbreak, border security and screening increased at airports, while medical stockpiles will be boosted as the nation prepares for a likely outbreak.

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It has now swept through 42 countries and is expected to continue a sustained spread, making it all but certain to return to Australia’s shores.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly announcing Australia has launched its global pandemic emergency response plan. Picture: Gary Ramage

Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed the emergency measures were activated yesterday after a marathon three-hour national security committee meeting.

Hospital staff will be warned leave will be cancelled if required to deal with a surge in cases in the event of an outbreak, while specific coronavirus wards will be set up within hospitals.

Addition measures implemented Covid-19 emergency plan first stage includes increased screening of any sick or suspect passengers arriving from more country overseas, not just China.

Australian Border Force Commissioner Michael Outram will develop new protocols, including in-flight and on-arrival announcements for international travellers and more protective gear for biosecurity and airport staff.

Infected people will be isolated, while anyone they have close contact with, as well as suspected cases, will be encouraged to quarantine themselves.

States are being ordered to take note of medical stockpiles, including masks and medicines like Panadol and ibuprofen to reduce fevers, and be prepared to share and transfer stock as required to support any outbreaks where they may occur.

It is the first time a pandemic plan has been enacted since Swine Flu a decade ago.

World Health Organisation is yet to declare a global pandemic, but Mr Morrison said it was inevitable and Australia wanted to be ahead of the game.

“We need to take the stacks steps necessary to prepare for such a pandemic,” Mr Morrison said.

“I want to stress that these actions are being taken in an abundance of caution.

“There is no need for us to be moving to not having mass gatherings of people. You can still go to the football, you can still go to the cricket, you can still go and play with your friends down the street, you can go to the concert and you can still go out for a Chinese meal.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says there will be economic pain felt from the global health crisis. Picture: Gary Ramage

The Prime Minister flagged “targeted and scalable” stimulus for industries impacted by the coronavirus, including tourism, education and those suffering supply chain issues with China.

“It’s a health crisis, not a financial crisis. But it’s a health crisis with very real economic impacts,” he said.

But he ruled out a broader, fiscal stimulus at this stage.

The China travel ban has been extended another week, with no exemption for international students granted.

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, headed by the Chief Medical Officer, has flagged potential easing of the travel ban in the future, saying the risk from mainland China outside Hubei province has reduced significantly as the outbreaks there are brought under control.

“Extending travel bans to restrict travel from multiple countries is not likely to be feasible or effective in the medium term,” the committee advice stated.

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles reacted to Mr Morrison’s decision by demanding the Federal Government lift its cap on hospital funding growth.

Mr Miles said continuing the funding cap would impede the ability of hospitals to respond to the coronavirus threat.

“You can’t say that hospital budgets can only grow 6.5 per cent when your own modelling says coronavirus demand could outstrip that by two or three times,” he said.

“What does Scott Morrison expect hospitals to do? Turn people away because they have already spent their 6.5 per cent extra?

“If they’re serious about keeping people safe they have to abandon the cap until the likely pandemic is passed.”

There have been 80,985 confirmed cases world wide, including 2759 deaths, more than 96 per cent of these occurring within China.

Originally published as Australia on pandemic footing as emergency response activated