Overview
Until now, COVID-19 testing in some Australian states and territories has been restricted to specific hotspots, frontline occupations and to those with symptoms, but as of today, Friday, April 24, any Australian with any cold or flu symptoms can go and get tested for the disease.
In a press conference after today's national cabinet meeting, Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said, "every state and territory has now broadened their testing criteria ... anybody with acute respiratory symptoms — cough, sore throat, runny nose, cold symptoms, flu-like symptoms — can get tested."
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian echoed this sentiment in a statement released earlier in the day, urging "anyone in NSW who has COVID-19 symptoms", including mild symptoms, to come forward and get tested. "Testing is key to reducing community transmission and dealing with local breakouts," said the Premier. "And this is critical if we are going to lift any restrictions."
Expanding Australia's COVID-19 testing, beyond those who are just symptomatic, is one of the conditions outlined by Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week for the relaxation of social distancing and public gathering restrictions. Even if these conditions are met, the restrictions are set to stay in place for at least the next three weeks, until mid-May.
The government has said testing is important to the containment of COVID-19 as it allows them to quickly identify cases, track who infected persons have been in contact with, and prevent community outbreaks.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, it's recommended that you contact your local GP, or call the 24-hour National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080, and visit a COVID-19 respiratory clinic. Once you've been tested, you must home isolate until you've received your test results, and then head to an emergency department if your condition deteriorates.
To find your local COVID-19 clinic, head to the NSW, Victoria or Queensland Government websites.
To find out more about the status of COVID–19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.