Ana içeriğe atla

Going the distance to keep society safe - the coronavirus rules explained

Going the distance to keep society safe - the coronavirus rules explained


Group of young adults practising social distancing. File image. Credit: Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images


Coronavirus has forced people everywhere to make dramatic changes to their lives as governments work to try to drive the rate of infections down.
From self-isolating to social distancing to when can you actually leave home - by law.
Here, we explain some of the most important measures we’re all now being compelled to observe.
What is social distancing?
Firstly, it means keeping a physical distance between yourself and others.
Secondly, it applies to the tough restrictions in place to stop people gathering in groups.

How close can I get to others?

The medical advice is you should keep 1.5 metres away from other people.
No more handshakes, hugging or even air kisses.
But chief medical officer Brendan Murphy has conceded families or people who live in the same house can hardly avoid being in such close proximity.

What about touching things like surfaces?

Research shows the virus can last a long time - up to three days - on surfaces after sick people have touched them.
Surfaces should be wiped down regularly with disinfectant. File image. Credit: Kiwis/Getty Images/iStockphoto
You need to wash your hands frequently with soap or an alcohol-based sanitiser.
And pay for things using tap-and-go contactless methods.

Why must I stay at home?

To avoid other people as much as possible and thus avoid spreading or contracting the virus.
Governments have put in place increasingly tighter restrictions on social gatherings.
The current state of play is you should not leave your house unless you need to:
  • shop for essentials (such as food or medicine)
  • exercise in a public space
  • go to a medical appointment
  • head to work or school if you cannot work or learn from home

File image of woman on public transport. Credit: Getty Images

You are also allowed to go out if you are caring or supporting someone living elsewhere - such as buying groceries for an elderly relative or neighbour.
People aged over 70, those over 65 with pre-existing conditions, and indigenous people over 50 with pre-existing conditions should stay home wherever possible.

Can I meet people outside?

Gatherings are restricted to two people, indoors and outdoors.
That means you can catch up with one friend to walk or run through a park - but you should still keep 1.5m between you.

Is this the law now?

It depends on where you live.
Victoria, NSW, Queensland, Tasmania have issued legal directions requiring people to stay home unless they have to leave for one of the acceptable reasons.
Exercising is allowed. File image of person walking on the promenade next to Bondi Beach. Credit: JAMES GOURLEY/AAPIMAGE
But SA, WA, the NT and the ACT have left the guidance as “strong advice” to stay at home.
Most states have a regime of policing and fines for breaching restrictions.

What exceptions are there?

Some exceptions are allowed on compassionate grounds, such as funerals - although only 10 mourners are allowed - and visiting terminally-ill relatives.
There are also exemptions for split families who have shared custody arrangements, so children can continue to visit or stay with both parents.

What if I don’t live with my boyfriend or girlfriend?

Again, the rules are mixed depending on where you live.
Victoria’s police minister says you cannot visit a partner’s house for social reasons.
FILE IMAGE. Victorian partners who do not live together can only see each other outside the home. Credit: Getty
But in NSW, the police commissioner said that was allowed.
Tasmania’s government advises that up to two visitors are allowed to a household at any one time, but cautions people should still be wary of limiting unnecessary travel between homes.
And the federal health department says extended family members or partners should minimise visits.




Yorumlar

Yorum Gönder

Bu blogdaki popüler yayınlar

Wuhan Officials Have Revised The City's Coronavirus Death Toll Up By 50%

Wuhan Officials Have Revised The City's Coronavirus Death Toll Up By 50% China has revised its official death toll from the novel coronavirus, raising the number of fatalities attributed to the pandemic by more than a third. Officials in Wuhan, where the virus was first reported late last year, on Friday added 1,290 coronavirus deaths to the city's toll. They also added 325 confirmed cases to the city tally. The total number of cases recorded in the city now stands at 50,333, with 3,869 deaths. The previous reported death toll for Wuhan was 2,579  so the revised figure marks a 50% increase in the number of deaths in the city from coronavirus. As of April 17, China's National Health Commission had reported 3,342 deaths nationally, before the revised Wuhan figures were published. Officials explained that the deaths had initially gone uncounted because in the early stages of the pandemic some people died at home, overwhelmed medics were focu...
Yorum Gönder
Devamı

Turkey: Scientist isolates SARS-CoV2 virus

Turkey: Scientist İsolates SARS-CoV2 virus Virologist at Ankara university successfully isolates coronavirus, first set in producing vaccine ANKARA   A Turkish virologist has successfully isolated SARS-COV-2, the novel coronavirus, in a bid to produce a vaccine against the deadly disease it causes which has claimed almost 68,000 lives across the globe. "Our university's Biotechnology Institute Director Prof. Dr. Aykut Ozkul succeeded in isolating the SARS-COV-2 virus, which is the first step of producing serum, vaccine, and medication against the coronavirus!" Ankara University said in a Twitter post. Mustafa Varank, Turkey's industry and technology minister, informed the public during the week that a total of 24 universities, eight public research and development units with hundreds of researchers have been working to produce a vaccine against COVID-19. On Sunday, Turkey announced the country's virus death toll climbed to 574 with 73 new d...
Yorum Gönder
Devamı

Coronavirus: What sporting events are affected by the pandemic?

Coronavirus: What sporting events are affected by the pandemic? As the virus spreads across the globe, sports bodies are cancelling or postponing events. The French Open has been postponed by four months and will now be played in September [File: Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty Images] The 2020 Wimbledon tennis championships have been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the All England Club announced on Wednesday. It is the first time the championships, due to take place between June 28 and July 11, have been called off since World War II. The outbreak of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 47,000 people globally, has affected sporting events across the world. COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has infected nearly 938,000 people worldwide. The International Olympic Committee and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have postponed the  Tokyo  2020  Olympics, which will now take place from July 23...
Yorum Gönder
Devamı