To our governmental leaders,

We have watched in dismay as COVID-19 continues to spread around the world. Now it has firmly found its foothold in Australia - with cases doubling to 2000 in the last 72hrs (as of the 24th of March). We are deeply concerned by the lack of a clear plan for our country to deal with the biggest health crisis we have seen in living memory.

We have two choices: to be proactive or reactive.

Countries that have been reactive are now facing grave situations like we see in Italy, Spain, the UK, and the US.

Countries that have been proactive are facing smaller epidemics, with less loss of life, and a shorter recovery period for the economy. We must follow this path, taken by South Korea, Singapore and New Zealand.

This is not an either or decision between the economy and our health as it has been portrayed. Being proactive will save lives, and leave our economy as intact as possible at the end of this.

This approach is strongly supported by policy leaders. A team of Australian academics from the Group of Eight universities, commissioned by the Australian Government, have already urged the government to "go now, go hard, go smart", and to seize this "short and vital window".

They warn that if we do not put in place strong measures now, we will be forced to as the pandemic escalates, when the consequences will be far worse for both public health and the economy.

These are the actions we must take:

1. Stop the spread of the virus and buy us time.

A minimum 2-week shut down to start immediately. This lockdown would see the temporary (2-8 weeks) closure of all non-essential businesses and instruct all citizens to stay at home, unless providing essential services. This would be followed by the relaxation of restrictions, once the virus was contained.

In order to stop the spread of the virus, 80 percent of the population must self-isolate. As the Group of Eight experts warn, we “cannot afford to be relaxed about social distancing”. Mere social distancing measures will not be enough, and Australians are not well prepared to implement them given our lack of experience with similar viruses.

If we cannot slow the spread of the virus, we cannot trace it. Enforced temporary self-isolation for a majority of the public will enable us to implement a more comprehensive tracking and tracing program like that in Singapore and South Korea.

A temporary lockdown also offers a lifeline to businesses who would be in a better position to bunker down knowing that this is a short but intense measure rather than having prolonged uncertainty for 6 months or more.

2. Understand how the virus is spreading so we can contain it.

Relax testing requirements and make testing processes safer. The testing requirements have seen many with symptoms go untested, which means that we do not currently know how far the virus has spread. We need to increase testing to effectively understand the full spread of this virus and to keep it contained before it is beyond our control. Opening up nation-wide drive through testing centres, like the two in South Australia, will ensure that this testing is done safely. Expanding this service will avoid the unnecessary risk of infection to health workers and those who return a negative test.

Utilise digital data such as GPS, CCTV, and credit card transactions, for contact tracing purposes. As used successfully in South Korea, this will enable vital contact tracing to be completed and ensure that we understand how the virus is spreading and who is most at risk.

Track the location of those that are required to self-isolate. South Korea has already utilised an app in this way. Tracking those that are required to self-isolate will better ensure compliance.

3. Keep the public informed to avoid ongoing panic and confusion.

Initiate ongoing Australia-wide text message updates. These can provide clear and consistent advice on measures required from all Australians during a lockdown and in the many months to come when we will still need to be vigilant. This will ensure that all Australians understand what is needed of them and when. This can include localised text message updates to warn people about the spread of the virus in their area. This will give people the information needed to make an informed decision about when to proactively self-isolate and get tested, even when asymptomatic.

Communicate a clear plan of action like New Zealand’s four-stage alert system. This system ensures the public is aware of the current severity and how the government will respond as the situation develops. This staged system also informs the public well-in-advance about what they can expect from the government’s response, by providing detailed FAQs which give information on issues like which businesses are considered essential in a shut down. This ensures that the community understands what changes will happen when and how to properly prepare for them, which reduces panic and instils faith in the government. We will need a system like this in the weeks and months ahead as we continue to fight the spread of this virus.

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We are sure that this is a confusing time, and there is disagreement on what should be done between different levels of government as well as experts. But international examples have made it clear: we need stricter measures earlier to ensure that we don’t risk unnecessary loss of life, as well as an unfathomably costly recovery.

As an island nation we are at a distinct advantage with our opportunity to control our borders. If we act quickly we could contain the virus and go back to some semblance of normal life within Australia, even as the rest of the world is still fighting this pandemic.

This is why we are signing this petition, and sharing it far and wide. Please don’t be afraid to be the leaders we need right now. You may think this is a choice between our health and our economy. But we know there is only one way forward, and that is to protect our health and our economy.

Like many Australians, we are incredibly fearful about what will happen to my family and my country. Please take heed from other countries who are successfully tackling this. This is the biggest challenge you will face in your career. You have the chance now to truly shape our nation and we can only do so much without your leadership. Please protect us.

In your hands,

Many Concerned Australians



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Further reading: How South Korea Flattened the Curve