National Cabinet Meeting Update

The Prime Minister just spoke to the media following today’s National Cabinet Meeting:

• Nat Cab met again today after a fortnight.
• 1 million cases a week around the world.
• Australia remains on track with flat curve despite localised outbreaks in Victoria. Nat Cab staying firm on the 3 Step Plan.
• Outbreaks will happen, and Victoria is a reminder of that - what matters is the response. Australian public should be reassured by such a strong response which is brought to the homes of the affected areas.
• Smaller venues which are under 100m2 are now able to have 1 person per 2m2. Previously it was 4m2.
• A roadmap is being developed for the entertainment industry to allow for better planning – 3, 6,9 and 12 month intervals.
• A public health workforce resource is being organised to move around the country as outbreaks occur to help with testing and tracing.
• 14 day quarantine will stay at 14 days.
• PM and Treasurer meeting with CEOs of all major banks to discuss broadly where everything is at, including talking about loan deferrals and approvals for HomeBuilder
• Cybersecurity also a main agenda right now
• Today is CMO’s last day as CMO, will move into Secretary of Department of Health role. Deputy is taking over.

CMO

• Virus accelerating around the world, fortunate being an island but we will remain at risk from virus via people returning home from overseas
• Hotel quarantine is not going to be perfect and can’t be absolutely sure every case is detected
• What is happening in Victoria is exactly what was modelled and planned for and it is being handled by the public health response – go to area, test, isolate and quarantine
• Likelihood of outbreaks remains high, and we will likely see this in other parts of the country too
• Testing of those in hotel quarantine will take place during quarantine and before they leave quarantine. It is a burden but it is helping keep it contained / Australians from risk.
• Collective achievement by group, great result for Australia, everyone has worked very well together with best experts and govt has taken advice which has made our response successful

Responses to questions from media

• Panic buying is not necessary, outbreaks will happen and it does not mean there is a problem, Australians should have confidence in the public health response
• All states to reopen in July (except WA). Possibility of states being opened fully but quarantining people from hotspots which PM is in full support of. PM said this was a much better, tailored way of handling the situation than broad state border closures.
• Music events are being brought considered in stadiums so social distancing can be observed but music festivals are likely to remain off the cards for a little while longer.
• Unlikely for international travel return for some time – could be late next year, but it is very uncertain as to when so no point speculating.