Exit tactics on agenda
A PLAN to create a “guinea pig state” to monitor the impact of the easing of shutdowns will be among exit strategies to be put to the National Cabinet.
Western Australia and South Australia – the mainland states with the lowest number of cases, lowest rates of community transmission, plus likely to have fewer ongoing cases in the weeks ahead – have been identified as the likely locations.
Authorities believe if the plan is successful it could potentially provide a road map for lifting economic and social restraints for Queensland, NSW and Victoria when it is clinically appropriate, highlyplaced sources have told the Bulletin.
It is understood the plan will be among a number of options to be presented to premiers and likely to be guided by national and individual state modelling due in coming weeks.
It is unlikely there will be simultaneous easing of restrictions across the country.
It could mean that some businesses may be able to reopen and social restrictions be eased in some states way before the initial six-month time frame identified.
However, social distancing and self-isolation for those who come into contact with the disease will likely remain indefinitely until a vaccine or preventative deployment is available.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said yesterday that Australia was in the suppression phase, but looking at the “road out” on restrictions.
“It is likely to be in steps and stages that we can test and reverse. It’s not going to happen yet,” Mr Hunt said.
“One of the happy challenges that we have as a consequence of the success of the recent weeks is that people are already looking beyond.
“We are very clear that we believe that this is a six-month process. That doesn’t mean all of the restrictions are in place, and wherever we can, we will look at those. “
This week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said community transmission remained a significant concern and flagged states could lift restrictions at different times.