Roadmap toRoadmap a COVIDSafe Australia: Out: Headline Headline Measures Fact Sheet Measures A fact sheet tracking the easing of restrictionsFact Federally Sheet and by State and Territory. Included in this is National Cabinet announcements, State and Territory roadmaps to recovery and information in relationMonth, to schools Date,, border 2017 closures , social distancing and travel restrictions. Natalie Chynoweth November 2020 Current as at 26th November 2020 Roadmap Out: Headline Measures Fact Sheet Factsheet as at 26 November 2020 Contents 1. Framework for National Reopening – 23 October 2020 ................................................................. 3 2. National Cabinet announcements ................................................................................................. 6 3. State and Territory Individual Roadmaps .................................................................................... 36 QLD Roadmap - updated 17 November 2020 ................................................................................. 36 WA Roadmap - updated 17 November ............................................................................................ 37 ACT Roadmap – updated 9 October ............................................................................................... 38 VIC Roadmap – updated 18 November ........................................................................................... 39 State & Territory Statements on Roadmaps Out: Easing Restrictions .............................................. 40 4. Definition of Vulnerable Groups - Federal statement ................................................................... 67 5. Federal Travel Restrictions ......................................................................................................... 68 Federal statements ......................................................................................................................... 68 6. Schools, Higher Education and TAFEs ....................................................................................... 71 Federal Statement ........................................................................................................................... 71 State & Territory Statements- Schools............................................................................................. 73 Roadmap Out: Headline Measures Fact Sheet | as at 26 November 2020 P a g e | 2 1. Framework for National Reopening – 23 October 2020 Roadmap Out: Headline Measures Fact Sheet | as at 26 November 2020 P a g e | 3 Roadmap Out: Headline Measures Fact Sheet | as at 26 November 2020 P a g e | 5 2. National Cabinet announcements Note: For Cabinet Announcements prior to 16th April please refer to previous versions of the Headline Measures Fact Sheet (noting date of publication). 18 November – The Commonwealth, states and territories have agreed to mandatory weekly testing for all staff working in coronavirus quarantine facilities across the country. Australia's Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly made the announcement in the wake of the South Australian COVID-19 cluster in Adelaide northern suburbs. 13 November – The National Cabinet met today for the 31st time to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, the Framework for National Reopening by Christmas, helping Australians prepare to go back to work in a COVID-safe environment and getting the economy moving again. National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions to the health and economic consequences of COVID-19. The Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, provided an update on the latest epidemiological data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19. There have been more than 27,600 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 907 people have died. There are now around 80 active cases in Australia. Most notably, National Cabinet noted the significant reduction in community transmission, and that there have been only a small number of cases of community transmission in the last fortnight. More than 9.2 million tests have been undertaken in Australia. Australia has done well on both the health and economic fronts compared to most countries around the world. National Cabinet noted the significant increase in COVID-19 cases in many countries and the comparative strength of Australia’s effort in addressing COVID compared to most other developed economies. Globally there have been over 52 million cases and sadly over 1.2 million deaths. Today there have been more than 500,000 new cases reported. National Cabinet endorsed the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, which sets out the roles and responsibilities of the Commonwealth, states and territories in rolling out COVID-19 vaccination. National Cabinet welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s announcement that Australia had secured access to 134.8 million doses of four leading vaccine candidates. National Cabinet adopted all recommendations in the National Contact Tracing Review, presented by the Australian Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel. While vaccines are being developed, and treatments for COVID-19 are being improved, an important means to bring about a return to normal economic and community activity is rapid testing, contact tracing, isolation and outbreak management. These measures back up the ongoing need for COVID-safe behaviours such as social distancing and good hygiene. National Cabinet will meet again on Friday 11 December 2020, when the National Federation Reform Council will also meet, with a focus on mental health. Framework for National Reopening - A COVID Normal Australia The Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory agreed to a new ‘Framework for National Reopening Australia by Christmas’ (document attached), subject to local health advice and building on and enhancing the 3-Step Framework for a COVID Safe Australia developed in May 2020. Western Australia did not agree to the National Framework for Reopening, specifically the domestic Roadmap Out: Headline Measures Fact Sheet | as at 26 November 2020 P a g e | 6 border and international arrival proposals. The Framework provides the Australian community and businesses with a way forward where Australians can live and work in a COVID Normal Australia, recognising that the highly infectious nature of COVID-19 means that it will be present until a COVID-19 vaccine is found. The Framework underscores the need for continued health vigilance while providing a path to easing the physical and mental burden on Australians. The Framework establishes an updated Common Operating Picture based on the advice of Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel AO, with strengthened criteria to ensure that health systems are prepared and detailed information is publicly available on COVID-19 conditions. The Commonwealth and seven states and territories agreed that reopening by Christmas under the Framework sets a pathway for the removal of domestic border restrictions where it is safe to do so, and with free movement of people and freight consistent with National Cabinet’s strategy of suppression with a goal of no community transmission. Review of state and territory contact tracing and outbreak management systems National Cabinet endorsed the review led by Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel of the contact tracing and outbreak management systems in each state and territory and agreed to adopt all 22 recommendations. All states and territories were assessed as now having strong contact tracing and outbreak management systems in place. The review provides characteristics of an optimal contact tracing and outbreak management system and recommends that every state and territory regularly stress test their systems. The review found that patient testing, contact tracing and case management should be fully digital end to end. However while a fully digital system dramatically improves efficiency of contact tracing, it will never replace the need for well-trained contact tracers and expert public health oversight – states and territories should employ a permanent workforce for tracing and outbreak management, with senior public health leadership and should have an additional surge workforce trained and at the ready. Contact tracing must never fall behind. In the event of an outbreak, every effort should be made to go hard and go early. The review recommended the creation of a digital data exchange so that states and territories can easily access and transfer information about cases and contacts where people have crossed borders. Commonwealth, NSW, Vic and ACT will work to develop a data exchange system. The review found that states and territories should share new and emerging technologies, such as electronic venue and workplace attendance registration systems, smartphone apps to monitor selfquarantine, new diagnostic tests and wastewater surveillance. Further details are available at: www.health.gov.au Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Policy Australia is well positioned for early access to a breakthrough COVID-19 vaccine in 2021. The Commonwealth Government has secured early access to 134.8 million doses of four leading vaccine candidates worth over $3.2 billion, in addition to up to 25 million vaccines candidates through the global COVAX facility. Vaccines, should they be deemed safe and effective, are expected to be available by March 2021. National Cabinet endorsed