Canberrans urged not to be complacent about social distancing amid rise in coronavirus cases – ABC News

In the wake of news Canberra had recorded its fifth case of coronavirus in a matter of days, the ACT Chief Health Officer yesterday took pains to reassure residents the outbreak was contained for now.
Key points:

• Canberrans are not being told to wear masks, but to maintain social distancing
• The ACT Government is asking people to show kindness towards others following a rise in coronavirus cases
• ACT retailers and GPs are urging people to continue doing the right thing to keep people safe

All five cases are linked to the outbreak in Victoria, after two of the infected people returned home to the ACT.
Late yesterday, Victoria told residents to start wearing masks wherever possible to stop the spread of the virus, after 288 new cases were recorded in 24 hours.
Premier Daniel Andrews said masks were not being made mandatory, but people in lockdown areas should wear masks in situations where they cannot maintain physical distancing.
“It is our request of you, it’s not compulsory,” he said.
“We are simply asking that if you can, wear a mask where you can’t distance.”
The debate around the use of masks has raged since the pandemic began, with some countries making them mandatory.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) advice on masks had been that they should be worn by healthcare workers, those with COVID-19 symptoms or people caring for those with the virus.
But after growing evidence showed the efficacy of masks at reducing the virus’s spread, that was extended to advise governments they should encourage the use of fabric or non-medical masks for people who are in areas where the virus is widespread and social distancing can’t be maintained.
In Canberra, masks are not being suggested.
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Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman said this was due to the fact that there was no evidence that community transmission was occurring in the territory.
This is one point of difference between the ACT and Victoria, where community transmission is now widespread.
Tests performed on Canberra’s sewage have shown there is no evidence of community transmission going undetected.
ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said they were not encouraging the wearing of masks.(ABC News: Andrew Kennedy)
“Masks can be an added useful tool, where there is a community that actually has transmission,” Dr Coleman said.
But she said those with coronavirus symptoms should wear a mask, as well as ensuring they were tested for the virus immediately.
“That is when a person can’t socially distance consistently from other people and there is community transmission, the wearing of a mask can add some value.”
What you need to know about coronavirus:
“I would not be recommending that people

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