Vulnerable people, such as those with underlying health conditions, should consider staying away from heavily populated or crowded areas, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath says, but it is not mandatory for Queenslanders to stay home.
Following confusion around the messaging, Ms D’Ath told reporters on Wednesday that the government’s advice was for those in the vulnerable cohort to consider avoiding crowded events or densely populated areas.
The state government had asked Queenslanders in recent weeks to work from home where possible to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath.Credit:Matt Dennien
However, Ms D’Ath said this did not mean that every Queenslander had to stay home.
“What the premier [Annastacia Palaszczuk] said was, where you can work from home while we go into our peak, we ask people to work from home,” she said.
“And the premier has said [the advice is for] the vulnerable cohort – not everybody.
“We’re talking about those most vulnerable in the community, those who have underlying health conditions that we know put them at more risk, our elderly who might not have had their booster.
“We have never said – and the Premier has not said ‘everyone should just stay home’ – we’ve said those most vulnerable should consider avoiding those heavily populated areas while we head into our peak.”
Ms D’Ath said working from home would reduce COVID transmission between work offices and households, in addition to protective measures such as masks and social distancing.
‘Not everybody’: Health Minister explains health advice for working, staying at home
Source: Philippines Alive
