HEALTH and emergency officers have been given stronger powers in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak and kissing is in the crosshairs.
As the State Government approved changes to the Public Health Act 2005 to give more power to emergency officers and Queensland Health's Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young, the conversation about personal hygiene stepped up a notch.
Ms Young said the additional powers and social distancing measures were essential to ensure safety.
She also suggested some intimacy might be best avoided.
"The more we can limit the spread, the more we can protect our most vulnerable, including the elderly and those with chronic conditions," Dr Young said.
"The more everyone follows the advice to wash their hands and stay home when they're sick, the fewer people will catch novel coronavirus.
"You can protect yourself by washing your hands often and properly and staying home when you're sick. We also ask that people avoid touching others if it's not necessary, including shaking hands, hugging or kissing."
Health Minister Steven Miles said the Public Health and Other Legislation (Public Health Emergency) Amendment Bill 2020 would provide better measures to assist in slowing the outbreak.
Under this new legislation, the Chief Health Officer will issue public health directions to ban non-essential gatherings in outdoor areas of more than 500 people and non-essential gatherings of 100 people indoors.
This will affect entertainment venues, function centres, pubs and clubs and large restaurants.
But it will not affect airports, public transport, medical facilities, emergency services, aged care, prisons, courts, our parliament, supermarkets, offices, schools, universities or construction sites.
The Chief Health Officer will also be able to recommend businesses and facilities open, close or limit access to the facility to ensure the health and safety of customers.
Emergency officers, which may include public health officers, will be provided with additional powers to assist in containing or responding to the spread of COVID-19 within the community.
"We must continue to throw everything we have at this and support our front-line medical staff to do their vital work," Mr Miles said.
"People may be directed to stay in their home, or another place decided by the emergency officer, for example, a hospital or other isolation area.
"Failure to adhere to directions under this legislation could incur a fine of up to $13,345.
"We are following the advice of the Australian Government and health experts as we respond to this outbreak. Measures are changing daily as the number of confirmed cases rise across the world."
The latest information visit www.health.qld.gov.au
Alan Welburn
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
