Abstract

To date, physical distancing and societal closure has proven highly effective at reducing community transmission and deaths due to Covid-19. However, staying in ‘lockdown’ indefinitely is problematic due to the wider health, social and economic damage arising from the control measures . The challenge now is how to ease restrictions in the absence of a ‘silver bullet’ therapy or vaccine. We outline a strategy for a phased progression from ‘suppress’ to ‘release’ and ‘restore’ stages that focuses on optimising the application of our existing tools and strategies coupled with improved pathways for community engagement and multi-sectoral cooperation.

This is a preprint version of an article submitted for publication in the Medical Journal of Australia. Changes may be made before final publication.

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