We call upon the Australian government to establish a National Epidemic Command Centre to respond to the coronavirus and future infectious disease outbreaks. This independent centre will be lead by an eminent epidemiologist.

Our further demands are as follows:

The creation of a government run public information app and website, that records all national and state press information and current guidelines. A single source of information for the public. The app will need foreign language translations and disability accessibility modes.

City wide lockdowns to be enacted in affected areas immediately. Any city or regional district with a cluster of coronavirus cases will enter into mandatory lockdown. This includes Sydney and Melbourne metro regions. People will be prevented from entering or leaving the lockdown zone. Domestic flights into and out of lockdown zones will be halted. Public transport will be halted, and retail stores, restaurants, and other non-essential businesses will close. The public will be asked to remain indoors except for shopping at supermarkets, pharmacies, and visiting medical practitioners and hospital emergency departments.

Within lockdown zones, schools, universities and non-essential workplaces will close and transition to online platforms. In the event of school closures, there will be establishment of child care centres to support health care staff and staff in other essential roles.

All international passenger travel information will be electronically recorded to an online platform at airports, so authorities can immediately monitor those in self isolation and search for potential cases. Daily checks by authorities of those in self isolation should be conducted.

A total ban on all cruise ships coming into ports, effective immediately.

Ramp up production of surgical masks, hand sanitiser, and other health care supplies. Prevent the export and mailing of these supplies overseas with penalties including fines for breaching these rules.

Strict rations of health care supplies to two masks and two hand sanitisers per customer, per week across all supermarkets and pharmacies.

Before entering any public building, scanning for fever is conducted.

Ramping up of reagent and testing kit acquisition and production. Funding of scientific research grants for more efficient and accurate Covid-19 testing.

Please adopt these necessary measures before it is too late. If these actions are taken now we will save lives in the coming weeks and months.

Thank you.