Less than a month since its launch by Australia’s health leaders, the Australian Government’s COVIDSafe app has reached 6 million downloads and is helping State and Territory public health officials automate and improve manual contact tracing of COVID-19.
The COVIDSafe app is proving a valuable tool in the fight against COVID-19 and several countries have expressed interest in learning from is positive impacts in Australia.
“Australia continues to be a world leader in testing, tracing and containing the coronavirus and I would encourage all Australians to contribute to that effort and download the COVIDSafe add today,” says Minister for Health Greg Hunt.
“Remember, as State and Territory health officials start to use the COVIDSafe app as part of their tracing efforts, they will only have access to contact information for those you may have come in close contact with – that is, 1.5 metres or less for a duration of 15 minutes or more.”
Proving to be a valuable tool, in Victoria the COVIDSafe app has allowed the identification of a person who has come in close contact with COVID-19 and who was not identified through the normal processes.
That person is now in quarantine, protecting the community from a further potential spread of the virus.
Minister for Government Services, Stuart Robert says the COVIDSafe app is doing its job as part of Australia’s health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The COVIDSafe app was downloaded faster than any other Australian Government app and has consistently remained the top free app in the Australian app stores.
“Millions of Australians are doing their bit as part of our health response,” says Minister Robert.
As restrictions ease, it’s important that all Australians stay COVIDSafe and know how to protect themselves and others.
Practical steps include:
- Regular hand washing
- Physical distancing
- Using the COVIDSafe app.
For more information about the Australian Government’s responses to COVID-19, visit: australia.gov.au/
