How to use Australia’s new coronavirus app 

The Australian Government has launched an app to provide up-to-date information about the coronavirus pandemic. 

The app, which launched on Sunday, has a symptom checker, advice on hygiene and social distancing. It also allows Australians to see exactly how many confirmed cases there are in each state.

The app is available from the Apple App Store and on Google Play. 

The app launched alongside the government’s Whatsapp feature, which provides similar information.  

It comes as the number of cases continues to climb, with 4,167 people now infected in Australia. There have been 17 deaths in Australia since the outbreak began.  

The Australian Government has launched an app to provide up-to-date information about the coronavirus pandemic

The app, which launched on Sunday, has a symptom checker, advice on hygiene and social distancing

The app, which launched on Sunday, has a symptom checker, advice on hygiene and social distancing

Those who are concerned that they may have contracted the deadly virus can use the app check whether they should get tested or even if they should call triple zero.

A guide to using Coronavirus Australia app: 

Download the app on Google Play or from the Apple App Store.

Check whether you need medical attention or should be tested for the virus on the symptom checker.

Register if you are self-isolating.

Read the most up-to-date government announcements. 

See exactly how many people are infected in your state. 

After entering your gender and age, you’re asked a series of questions about your health – are you struggling to breathe, is you skin turning blue?

If you answer yes, you are advised to go to the nearest emergency department. If you are answer no to the series of questions, you’re advised to stay home and monitor your symptoms. 

The app has all the current announcements from the Prime Minister regarding coronavirus.

The Whatsapp feature works similarly by providing users with easy to access information. 

After downloading Whatsapp, type oz.gov.au/whatsapp.

The app is available from the Apple App Store and on Google Play

The app is available from the Apple App Store and on Google Play

The app launched alongside the government's Whatsapp feature, which provides similar information

The app launched alongside the government’s Whatsapp feature, which provides similar information

The Whatsapp feature works similarly by providing users with easy to access information

The Whatsapp feature works similarly by providing users with easy to access information

The Whatsapp account acts like a messenger bot and provides people with relevant updates when they type in a number or emoji. 

The apps have been developed to help communicate with the public about the ever-changing crisis. 

A guide to using Coronavirus Australia Whatsapp service: 

Download WhatsApp onto your phone.

Add the government’s WhatsApp number into your WhatsApp contacts. The number is +61 400 253 787

Send the WhatsApp account a message.

You will receive a message back.

Follow the instructions to get the information you need. 

The most recent announcement came on Sunday night when Scott Morrison placed a ban on gatherings of more than two people. 

The two-person limit doesn’t apply to workplaces, offices, schools and households.

It applies to all indoor settings, including private properties and homes.

People who live alone can only invite one friend over, while households of two people or more can’t have any visitors.

A family split across two houses can meet in private, allowing people to visit their partner, siblings or parents.

The prime minister urged all Australians to only leave their homes to buy essential supplies, to exercise, to attend personal medical appointments and to go to work or school – if unable to work or obtain an education from home.

‘Every single Australian needs to take this seriously or community transmission could get out of control and we could have a situation as terrible as even they are seeing in the US at the moment,’ he said.

Mr Morrison also strongly advised that anyone over 70 stay home for their own safety, except for going for a daily walk in the fresh air.

It comes as the number of cases continues to climb, with 4,167 people now infected in Australia. There have been 17 deaths in Australia since the outbreak began

It comes as the number of cases continues to climb, with 4,167 people now infected in Australia. There have been 17 deaths in Australia since the outbreak began

‘States and territories will term whether they proceed to make this an enforceable limit in the same way that the 10-person limit is already been enforced,’ he said.

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 4,168

New South Wales: 1,918

Victoria: 821

Queensland: 656

South Australia: 299

Western Australia: 311

Australian Capital Territory: 78

Tasmania: 66

Northern Territory: 15

TOTAL CASES:  4,168

RECOVERED: 244

DEAD: 18

Mr Morrison made it clear the advice about gatherings of more than two people was for all circumstances, not just for social occasions in homes.

‘That provides, importantly, for those who may be getting daily exercise, particularly for women, that they wouldn’t be required to walk on their own and they be able to be walk with another person,’ he said.

Announcing a new $1.1 billion health package to deal with the COVID-19 crisis earlier on Sunday, Mr Morrison said greater cooperation in terms of self-isolation and social distancing was delivering dividends.

‘They are still strong rates of increase, there’s no doubt about that,’ the prime minister said.

‘But as we take the measures that we have been taking and put them in place and we have the co-operation from the Australian people, then that obviously in turn that has an impact on how we are managing the spread of the virus.

Mr Morrison also said just a third as many Australians were catching coronavirus as a week ago with the borders, pubs, and restaurants shut.

The Prime Minister said the rate of virus infections was 25 to 30 per cent a day, but slowed to about 13-15 per cent in the past few days.

‘They are still strong rates of increase, there’s no doubt about that,’ he said on Sunday.     

Tough new coronavirus restrictions explained  

Only two people should gather in public spaces and ‘other areas of gathering: Households – no matter how large – can still go outside together, but individual people can only meet with one other person. The two-person limit doesn’t apply to workplaces, schools or households. 

Moratorium on evictions from rental properties for the next six months: Scott Morrison said State and Territories will be moving to ban landlords from evicting tenants who are struggling to pay rent. Mr Morrison urged landlords to work with their tenants and banks on immediate solutions. 

Playgrounds, skate parks, and outdoor gyms will be closed from Monday: Boot camps will be reduced to one-on-one outdoor personal training sessions. 

Australians urged to only shop for the essentials and nothing more: Mr Morrison reminded people it isn’t a time for browsing or catching up with friends. ‘When you are going out for shopping, you should be going for just stuff you need and do it and get home,’ he said. 

People aged over 70 or having chronic illnesses are discouraged from leaving their homes: Mr Morrison said elderly people should only go outside for doctor’s appointments or medical reasons. He said vulnerable groups who need help with shopping should access ‘support through their community or others’.

WHAT CAN I LEAVE MY HOUSE FOR? 

Buying essential supplies: Scott Morrison said shopping should be done solo and not turned into impromptu gatherings.

Going to work, if unable to work from home: Australians who have the ability to work from home are strongly advised to do so. Those who can’t must follow social distancing measures when at their place of work. 

Exercise: People working out should still follow the two-person limit. All boot camps of 10 people or less have effectively been banned. 

To attend personal medical appointments, or for compassionate reasons: Elderly people in particular should only go outside for doctor’s appointments or medical reasons.

CAN I VISIT FAMILY MEMBERS?

Yes, however social distancing measures should still be adhered to. 

A family split across two houses can meet in private, allowing people to visit their partner, siblings or parents.

People who live can only invite one friend over, while households of two people or more can’t have any visitors. 

WHAT ABOUT HOUSEHOLDS WITH MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE?

Households – no matter how large – can still go outside together, but individual people can only meet with one other person.

If four people live together in a house, all four of them can take their dog for a walk.  

The two-person limit doesn’t apply to workplaces, schools or households.

CAN OLDER PEOPLE GO OUT IN PUBLIC?

Elderly people are allowed to go outside for the same reasons as young people, but Scott Morrison has urged those over the age of 70 to self-isolate unless going to a medical appointment. 

‘This does not mean they cannot go outside,’ Mr Morrison said on Sunday. 

‘They can go outside and be accompanied by a support person for the purposes of getting fresh air and recreation, but should limit contact with others as much as possible.’

CAN I GO TO A WEDDING OR A FUNERAL?

Last week’s rules pertaining to weddings and funerals haven’t changed. 

Funerals are still limited to 10 people and weddings to five – including the officiator and the bride and groom.

WHEN DO THE NEW MEASURES COME INTO EFFECT?  

The two-person rule will begin on Monday, while playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skate parks will be closed at midday.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk