Australia readies for life with virus

CANBERRA: Scott Morrison believes returning to work and school will be crucial wins against coronavirus as Australia prepares to lift restrictions to live with the deadly disease.

‘‘We don’t want to just win the battle against Covid19 but lose a broader conflict when it comes to the economy and the functioning of our society,’’ he told reporters in Canberra yesterday.

Just one new case of the virus was detected from unknown sources in the most recent 24hour statistical period — the second day in a row with a single case.

The nation’s death toll rose to 89 yesterday after a woman in her 80s died in Victoria, while more than 5600 of the 6741 people diagnosed with coronavirus have recovered.

The prime minister nominated having the protections in place to enable people to return to work and children to attend classrooms as important benchmarks in the battle to restore society.

‘‘Of course there will continue to be additional cases, of course there will be outbreaks — that’s what living with the virus will be like.’’

National Cabinet meetings in midMay loom as crucial to lifting further restrictions.

More than 2.8 million people have downloaded and registered for the Government’s coronavirus tracing app less than three days after it was released.

Morrison likened the app to wearing sunscreen.

‘‘That is Australia’s ticket to a Covidsafe Australia where we can go about doing the things we love doing once again,’’ he said. — AAP