As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, leading infectious diseases expert at the University of Queensland Dr Paul Griffin has urged state governments to provide a flexible response as borders begin to reopen. 

The call for a flexible response against the Omnicron variant comes with Queensland plans to ease its border restrictions to virus hotspots such as NSW from December 13, four days ahead of schedule. 

Dr Griffin stated that the state jurisdictions’ response against the Omnicron variant should easily be scaled up if it is required. 

However, such a response would not mean the reintroduction of large-scale COVID-prevention measures.

“I like to think that with our high vaccination rates – and we know the vaccines provide a similar level of protection against the Omicron variant – lockdowns will be a thing of the past,” he said. 

“Masks might be something we use to control certain areas of transmission, particularly high-risk environments, and while they are not 100 per cent effective, masks definitely help in reducing transmission.” 

As of the moment, over 88 per cent of the population 16 and over are fully vaccinated. Children between five and 11 will soon be able to get their vaccinations with Australia’s medical regulator giving the green light to the cohort. 

Although Queensland is now easing its border measures, travellers will still need to undergo tests before entering the state. 

Those from hotspots will need to prove they have tested negative before they arrive, as well as take a second test on their fifth day. 

These new measures will be effective in helping Queensland reopen its borders while protecting its citizens. 

“There is an opportunity for people to get infected before they leave, or even while travelling,” he said. 

“That day five test will give us a way to catch those people that have been infected subsequent to that first test, and that way we can make sure we limit the spread from those people if they introduce the virus to the state.” 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged states and territories to stick to the national reopening plan, telling premiers to hold their nerves while more Omicron variant cases are detected. 

With AAP

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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