PM announces $2.4B coronavirus health plan, as travel ban extends to Italy

Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlined the government’s health plan on COVID-19 this morning, revealing that the government has committed a total of $2.4 billion for increased support, testing and research as the virus continues to spread globally.

The PM said that the package will be demand driven and include funding for pop-up fever clinics, bulk-billed video consultations and a mobile app to help prepare the country for the possibility of a pandemic, as the country works to remain in “containment mode”.

Speaking at a press conference outside of Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday, Morrison said: “[We have] One focus, the health and wellbeing of Australians, their lives, their jobs and ensuring Australia bounces back better on the other side. That’s what the government has been intently working on.

“Since January, we’ve been working hard to stay ahead. And it’s important that we all keep our heads … every Australian has a role to play.”

He added: “There are many other implications of this and the economic implications of this are very serious, but today it is to outline the first response which is always on issue of health preparedness.

“Today $2.4 billion is being committed in demand-driven programs to support health and wellbeing, and just under $1.2 billion will be spent this financial year.”

The Coalition leader also announced that the travel ban would be extended to include Italy, meaning that anyone who has spent time there is not allowed to enter Australia for a period of 14 days after leaving the country. The new restrictions are in addition to the existing ban on travellers from mainland China, Iran and South Korea.

Health Minister Greg Hunt also outlined further details of the health plan and revealed that the government is also establishing a telehealth system that will provide Australians, particularly those under isolation, with updates on the coronavirus. It will also help vulnerable Australians, such as elderly residents, pregnant women or those who are immunocompromised, to keep abreast of updates, without having to go into hopsital or medical environments where they may be at risk of contamination.

Hunt also announced that $30 million will also be committed to research into areas such as immunotherapy and vaccinations.

Also in attendance at the press conference was the country’s Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy who urged people to stay calm and not rush to be tested, unless they have symptoms and have been overseas or in direct contact with someone who has tested positive.

He said: “There is no point being tested at the moment if you have not travelled or if you have not been in contact, even if you have flu like symptoms … All they are doing is putting an unnecessary burden on testing.”

Morrison’s update came just one day after he delivered a keynote speech at the Australian Financial Review summit in Sydney, in which he called on big businesses to support the economy during this difficult time by continuing to pay suppliers and employees.

He said: “We need your perseverance, your planning, your enterprise. We need your common sense. We need your calm. We need your commitment. But we need your patriotism as well.

“We need you to support your workers by keeping them employed. Hold on to your people, because you will need them on the bounceback on the other side.”

He also outlined seven principles which underpin the government’s response to coronavirus, which include aspects such as minimising the waste the waste of taxpayer cash through targeted responses, as well as taking timely, scalable and proportionate actions, which also must be temporary and make use of existing delivery methods.