The Federal Government says some COVID-19 restrictions will have to stay in place until a vaccine is developed, which could be up to a year away
Minister for Industry Science and Technology Karen Andrews has revealed the Government has no intention of returning Australia “back to normal” until there is a coronavirus cure.
Ms Andrews said the rolling back of restrictions in different States over the past week were “baby steps” and there was still a long way to go until the battle against COVID-19 was truly won.
Vaccine between 10 and 15 months away
Despite some rules having to remain in place until a cure to the virus was found, Ms Andrews was optimistic about a time frame.
“It’s possible we’ll have a vaccine in the next 10-15 months,” she said today.
“So it’s entirely possible by the end of this year or early next year, we will have a vaccine for COVID-19.”
Life won’t return to normal without virus cure
Without a vaccine, life for Australians will continue being restricted in some ways to prevent further COVID-19 outbreaks.
“Until we have a vaccine, life is not going to return to normal,” Ms Andrews said.
“So whilst we have seen easing of restrictions, particularly over the last weekend, we still have a long way to go and it’s important that we all take baby steps.”
States have begun re-opening schools and some sports facilities, with the Northern Territory flagging dine in at restaurants and bars will be available again from next month.
However, both domestic and international travel restrictions remain in place, with no timeframes from any States as to when these would be rolled back.
Ardern joins national cabinet
The possibility of a “Trans-Tasman bubble” – travel between Australia and New Zealand – is expected this week as NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joining the National Cabinet discussions over a dial in.
The contact tracing app is also expected to be discussed in detail between the two nations, with NZ not yet having any such technology in place.
Two vaccines being tested by Australia’s chief science body
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is currently working on two vaccines.
“The CSIRO is doing all that it can to fast track that development now, they are currently testing two vaccines, one is from the United States and one is from the United Kingdom,” she said.
“There are some positive signs of the vaccines that are being tested.
“The next step will be for us to manufacture it here in Australia and I’m working on that.”
National death toll creeps towards 100
A 15th death at a Sydney aged care home as increased Australia’s death toll to 95.
More than 8 out of 10 of the 6,822 people diagnosed with the virus have now recovered.
It comes as more than 4 million people downloaded the COVIDSafe tracking app.
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