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Australia coronavirus update latest: government launches Covidsafe contact tracing app as WA and Queensland to relax curbs – live news Australia coronavirus update latest: government launches Covidsafe contact tracing app as WA and Queensland to relax curbs – live news
(32 minutes later)
WA easing will be effective tomorrow, while Queensland will ease some of its restrictions from midnight Friday. Follow liveWA easing will be effective tomorrow, while Queensland will ease some of its restrictions from midnight Friday. Follow live
The Business Council of Australia says of the app:
The press conference has now wrapped up.
The government says the app will go live at 6pm, when people will be able to register.
A few people have pointed out that the app is available only on the Australian versions of the Apple and Google Play stores.
Meanwhile, see below.
Greg Hunt is asked about reports the government is considering travel exemptions to allow the T-20 World Cup to continue.
Hunt says he’s not been involved in any discussion so can’t comment.
Murphy says the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee will later this week consider some proposals from major sporting codes to “consider what would be the parameters upon which the national cabinet may feel it is safe to let them recommence crowd three matches”.
“There is a long way to go. We have not seen the proposals yet.”
Murphy is asked about the Australian government’s position on so-called “immunity passports”.
The WHO has warned against these, saying there is no conclusive evidence people cannot contract the virus more than once.
He says:
Hunt was also asked what would happen if people could be busted breaking social distancing laws through the app.
Hunt is unequivocal on this:
Hunt is asked about what reporter Samantha Maiden describes as some “teething problems” with the app. There have been suggestions, for example, that if you have too many apps open, or if your screen is locked, the strength of the Covidsafe app will be diminished.
Hunt extolling the privacy safeguards, as he sees them:Hunt extolling the privacy safeguards, as he sees them:
Brendan Murphy says he would define “good uptake” of the app would be “well over half the people” and he adds that he thinks “Australians will rise to the challenge”. Brendan Murphy says he would define a “good uptake” of the app as “well over half the people”, and adds that he thinks “Australians will rise to the challenge”.
Greg Hunt is asked if it matters whether people use a fake name when they register on the app. He says:Greg Hunt is asked if it matters whether people use a fake name when they register on the app. He says:
While you’re hearing (or reading) the government’s line on the app, I might point you to this piece from my colleague Josh Taylor.While you’re hearing (or reading) the government’s line on the app, I might point you to this piece from my colleague Josh Taylor.
Greg Hunt says the app is now available in the Google store and will be on the Apple store shortly.
Annie Butler, of the nurses federation, concludes her prepared remarks with this pithy comment:
Bartone on privacy issues:
Alison McMillan, the Australian government’s chief nursing and midwifery officer, Tony Bartone, who heads the Australian Medical Association, and Annie Butler, head of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, are also here to encourage people to download the app.
Brendan Murphy on the app:
Wrapping up his prepared remarks, he says: “I will download and register tonight. I know that all my colleagues in the public health field will do that also.”
The chief medical officer, Brendan Murphy, says the app will contact the several thousand people in public health units who do contact tracing.
“That can be a very laborious, manual process,” Murphy says. “What the app does, it helps them with the process, automate that to some extent and helps them get the numbers and helps people he may have forgotten who they have been in contact with.”
Hunt says they have gotten the agreement of the country’s major medical groups for a statement encouraging people to download the CovidSafe app.
He then plays a television commercial aimed at encouraging people to get the app.
Hunt on the app and privacy:
Greg Hunt in his own words explaining how the app works:
Hunt says there have now been 5.4 million telehealth consultations.
Turning to the cluster in north-west Tasmania, Hunt says: