Corona and Democracy - Australia

Information on COVID-19 measures and democracy

• Limitation to most indoor and outdoor non-essential gatherings to 2 people
• All non-essential domestic travels are restricted
• Borders are closed, only Australian citizens are allowed to enter the country (Quarantine for 14 days after arrival)
• Ban on all overseas travel

   4 May:

• The government started easing the restrictions (Victoria remains under lockdown).

8 May:

• The government announced a national three step plan to relax coronavirus restrictions.

10 May:

• New visitation restrictions were introduced for residential aged care facilities

26 June:

• Social distancing measures prevail (1.5 m distance and restrictions on person density especially in smal premises)
• Larger gatherings such as sports events are allowed again however only adherence to previously mentioned social distancing measures

6 July:

• The Australian government begins to lift remaining COVID-19 measures

• https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others-from-coronavirus-covid-19/limits-on-public-gatherings-for-coronavirus-covid-19
• https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-travellers
• https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-31/how-australian-states-are-enforcing-coronavirus-measures/12106774
• https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-52525721
• https://www.australia.gov.au/coronavirus-updates
• https://www.health.gov.au/news/announcements/residential-aged-care-facilities-new-visitation-restrictions
• https://www.health.gov.au/news/australian-health-protection-principal-committee-ahppc-statement-on-the-review-of-physical-distancing-and-person-density-restrictions
• https://www.health.gov.au/news/australian-health-protection-principal-committee-ahppc-statement-on-the-safe-return-of-crowds-to-stadiums-arenas-and-large-theatres
• https://www.health.gov.au/news/australian-health-protection-principal-committee-ahppc-statement-on-recommendations-for-managing-of-health-risk-as-covid-19-measures-lift

• https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6711788/upper-house-elections-deferred-due-to-public-health-concerns/

• No limitations, but broad discussion

• https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/apr/01/labor-says-parliament-should-sit-to-scrutinise-governments-coronavirus-emergency-powers
• https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-03/coronavirus-emergency-laws-and-civil-liberties/12114042

   30 March:

• Emergency Management Bill 2020 allows the government to install surveillance devices in homes and direct people to wear monitoring devices to ensure the isolation of those tested positive. Persons who fail to comply are subject to a $12,000 fine or up to a year of imprisonment.

   26 April:

• The government released the coronavirus tracing app, which notifies the users if they have contact with another user who tests positive for coronavirus. Data remains encrypted on a user's phone for 21 days, after which it is deleted if they have not been in contact with a confirmed case. Users are asked to agree on two stages of consent: the first for data collection and the second for sharing data if tested positive.

• https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament/Bills.nsf/5924018EEA598B994825853B001C0B08/$File/Bill179-1.pdf
• https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-26/coronavirus-tracing-app-covidsafe-australia-government-covid-19/12186130

• The Australian government is using powers imparted under the existing "Biosecurity Act 2015" of 2001.
• No State of emergency has been declared as of yet.

• https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00303
• https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/03/coronavirus-what-legal-power-does-the-australian-government-have-to-respond-to-the-threat

• Info page of the Australian government https://www.australia.gov.au/