Medicos petition government for radical coronavirus lockdowns

Doctors warn that Australia is heading for an Italian-style disaster that would cripple our health systems.

Thousands of doctors are begging the federal government to impose radical lockdowns that confine people to their homes, amid warnings that Australia is heading for an Italian-style disaster that would cripple our health systems.

More than 2500 doctors have signed a letter urging that all places where people gather be closed, including schools, pubs, restaurants, churches and cinemas. A separate letter signed by almost 4000 more people, most of them medics, warns that unless strict social distancing was implemented, Australia would be “in a worse position than Italy is in”.

In the first letter, written by Perth GP Hemant Garg, doctors urge a near total lockdown of society. “We immediately recommend a three- to four-week closure of schools, cultural and religious places (including places of worship), gyms and leisure centres, pubs, bars, theatres, cinemas and concert halls,” the letter said.

“This would allow a steady declaration of cases of coronavirus to present to hospitals and fever clinics as their symptomatic phase develops.”

Dr Garg is concerned the federal government is taking a “reactive” approach to social distancing. Doctors are worried that Australia won’t have enough intensive care beds and ventilators if large numbers of critically ill patients need care.