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Find the latest updates about Coronavirus from the Australian Government Website, or through their App Coronavirus Australia, which is available from the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

The Australian Government also has a WhatsApp feature available where you can access current information.  Connect through WhatsApp (open the link from your smart phone).

Find Australian Government announcements in your language.

The COVIDSafe app is a new tool, alongside testing, good hygiene, and social distancing, to help slow the spread of coronavirus in Australia.

The COVIDSafe app is solely about health. It will help keep Australians safe by speeding up the process of notifying people who have been in contact with someone with coronavirus.

Find the latest Queensland Government updates from the Queensland Government Website.

The Novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus.

Symptoms range from a mild cough to pneumonia. Some people recover easily, others may get very sick very quickly. There is evidence that it spreads from person to person. Good hygiene can prevent infection.

Watch this short animation to learn more about COVID-19 and how to protect yourself against it.

Watch In-language videos - Coronavirus, what you need to know, from SBS

Symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical help.

Coronavirus Hotline for people with symptoms, phone 1800 022 222

Online Symptom Checker

 

Practise Good Hygiene

Everyone must practise good hygiene to protect against infection and prevent the virus spreading.

Watch this video for a refresher on good hygiene:

Watch this video on how to stop the spread of Coronavirus:

 

Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds will help stop the spread of COVID-19. Here's how to do it properly:

 

 

The Australian and Queensland Governments have restricted gatherings and placed rules around when you can leave your home.

Some restrictions will ease in Queensland following the Queensland community working together to flatten the curve.

Following encouraging signs Queensland is flattening the COVID-19 curve, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced further easing of stay at home restrictions.

From Sunday, May 10:

  • Up to five people from a household can visit another household

All other rules remain in place during this time.

What can I do?

  • You can go shopping for non-essential goods
  • Kindergarten, Prep, Years 1, 11 and 12 go back to school on Monday.  Remaining year-levels are still learning at home
  • You can have a picnic with people from your house
  • If you go out by yourself, you can only meet one other person from outside your house for a run or picnic. It can only be the two of you, not your family plus one other
  • You can travel up 50 kilometres from your home with members of your house. You can travel more than 50 kilometres if you're visiting another household but you have to visit then leave, there's no going to the shops or beach under this rule.
  • You can visit any business that's open — like getting your hair cut
  • From Sunday, up to five people from a household can visit another household
  • Brisbane dog owners will soon be able to run their dogs off leash after Brisbane's Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced 131 dog parks will gradually reopen from Friday, 8 May.

What can't I do?

  • Dining in at cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs still isn't allowed but discussions are underway.
  • Gyms and public playgrounds are all still closed.
  • Queensland's borders also remain closed.
  • Weddings are still restricted to five people: celebrant, the couple and two witnesses.
  • And funerals can still only have 10 people, unless the Chief Health Officer grants an exemption.

(Source ABC News)

 

From the Prime Minister's Press Conference, 5 May 2020

  • National Cabinet will be discussing how to reopen the economy at the National Cabinet Meeting on Friday 8 May.
  • National Cabinet's focus is currently on defining what a COVID-safe economy will look like and on getting businesses the tools they need to achieve this.
  • When restrictions start to ease, infection rates will increase but Australia is well-prepared (e.g. we have so many more ventilators, personal protective equipment, social distancing)

Queenslanders can expect high visibility policing across the state, particularly beaches and parks.

 

See the infographic below for advice on when you can leave your house and how many visitors you can have.

 

 

One way to slow the spread of viruses is social distancing. The Australian Government has fact sheets with more information on social distancing.

There are practical things you can do, to protect those more susceptible to the virus.

Households
  • Practice good hand and cough/sneeze hygiene
  • Avoid handshaking and other physical greetings
  • Regularly clean shared high-touch surfaces, such as tables, kitchen benches and doorknobs
  • Increase the amount of fresh air by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning
  • Buy more goods and services online so you limit visits to the shop
  • Consider what travel and outings are necessary, both individual and family, and go to open places such as parks
Social distancing in the workplace

To reduce the spread of germs in the workplace:

  • Stay at home if you are sick
  • Consider if large gatherings can be rescheduled, staggered or cancelled
  • Stop handshaking and other physical greetings
  • Hold meetings via video conferencing or phone call
  • Reconsider non-essential business travel
  • Defer large face-to-face meetings
  • Hold essential meetings outside in the open air if possible
  • Promote good hand and cough/sneeze hygiene and provide hand sanitisers for all staff and workers
  • Take lunch outside rather than in the lunch room
  • Clean and disinfect shared high-touch surfaces regularly
  • Consider opening windows and adjusting air conditioning for more fresh air
  • Limit food handling and shared food in the workplace
  • Promote strictest hygiene among food preparation (canteen) staff and their close contacts
Social distancing in schools

To reduce the spread of germs or viruses in schools:

  • If your child is sick, do not send them to school (or childcare)
  • Clean hands when entering school and at regular intervals
  • Defer activities that lead to mixing between classes and years
  • Avoid queuing, hand holding and assemblies
  • Promote a regular hand washing schedule
  • Clean and disinfect shared high-touch surfaces regularly
  • Conduct lessons outdoors where possible
  • Consider opening windows and adjusting conditioning for more fresh air
  • Promote strictest hygiene among food preparation (canteen) staff and their close contacts

Find information compiled by our Community Funding team here

Travel restrictions are in place.  Find the latest information from Australian Government travel advice.  

Find translated information about travel restrictions here.

The Queensland Government has closed Queensland's borders and you need a permit to cross the border.  Find out more information.

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