3 February 2020, current as at 1500hrs WST
I would like to reassure members of the Exmouth community that there is no risk to them contracting Novel Coronavirus from the flights arriving at Learmonth on transit to Christmas Island.
Passengers on the flight will be contained at Learmonth and will not be entering the local community.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can make humans and animals sick. They cause illnesses that can range from the common cold to more severe diseases. The novel coronavirus is called ‘novel’ because it is new.
Coronaviruses are most often spread through person-to-person contact within close proximity to each other. While much is still unknown about 2019-nCoV, evidence suggests that it is spread the same as all other coronaviruses – through close contact and not at distances of more than two metres.
Therefore, as there will be strict infection control processes in place on the flight, and passengers are not entering the local community, there is no risk to the people of Exmouth.
Members of the public should not panic and do not need to buy or wear facemasks.
The Department of Health is regularly updating its website with information, and people should visit www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/coronavirus to learn more information.
A national hotline has also been set up to respond to people with medical concerns about Novel Coronavirus. The number is 1800 020 080.
ENDS
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