PM announces next step in 'road back' from coronavirus lockdown
Scott Morrison has announced certain coronavirus restrictions on elective surgery will be lifted after the Anzac Day weekend.
The prime minister believes the move will result in 25 per cent of elective surgeries once again being carried out in private and public hospitals, and includes category two procedures in the private sector and some category three procedures.
He made the announcement as he addressed the media on Tuesday afternoon after meeting with the National Cabinet.
"This is an important decision because it marks another step on the way back. There is a road back. There is a road ahead and the decisions that the National Cabinet has taken today is evidence of that,” he said.
Procedures returning includes all IVF, post cancer restriction procedures, dental, all procedures for children under 18, joint replacements, eye procedures and endoscopy and colonoscopy.
“This is an indication to Australians that when we do keep staying ahead of this we can make these changes and you can start heading back to where we would all like to be,” Mr Morrison added.
Australia meets ventilator target
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt also addressed reporters, revealing Australia had now reached its goal of having 7500 ventilators.
“That is an extraordinary achievement across our hospitals and across the country. All of this means we are in a position to start the recovery,” he said.
Mr Hunt also said the elective surgery decision was only made possible after the country was able to acquire 60 million masks, with more than half rolled out over the next several weeks.
He said a further 100 million masks would be obtained in the next six weeks.
How Australia could look in four weeks if measures are relaxed
'Worse still to come': Bleak virus warning as Australia mulls easing restrictions
Looking after mental health of elderly ‘important’
Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy also spoke on Tuesday, stressing while it is important to ensure visitor numbers are limited at aged care facilities to protect residents, they shouldn’t be “locked away” from their families.
Mr Morrison stressed residents should be allowed into other areas of the facility such as common rooms and outdoor areas.
We are very concerned about the impact of restrictions that had been put in place in aged care facilities over and above what was recommended by the National Cabinet on the residents in those facilities,” he said.
“There is great concern that the isolation of elderly people in residential care facilities where they have been prevented from having any visitors from loved ones and support people is not good for their well-being, is not good for their health and so the National Cabinet agreed that there needs to be a strong reminder that the National Cabinet decision was to not shut people off or to lock them away in their rooms.”
Mr Morrison also stressed those rules extend to those elderly people self-isolating, and can receive visitors under “compassionate reasons”.
“That may be a relative or a carer or a friendly neighbour who regularly looks in on someone,” he said.
He noted his wife had recently visited someone under those circumstances and her visit was “well received”.
“This is important I think for the mental health and well-being of elderly residents in our community.”
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
