Discussing how to navigate COVID’s ‘Next Phase’, and attending a Future Engagement Forum on crises response

The Governor today hosted an important discussion around navigating the next phase of COVID and the need to prepare and plan for ongoing health impacts from the virus.

Deputy Premier and WA Health Minister The Hon Roger Cook MLA was in attendance, as well as the State’s Vaccine Commander WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson APM, Chief Scientist Professor Peter Klinken AC, and other key state government, medical, community, academic and industry experts.

The discussion covered a variety of COVID-related topics including population behaviour and response to the pandemic, how to live with COVID in the future and the potential impact of ‘Long COVID’.

“The purpose of this very important discussion was to talk about the next phase handling of COVID,” said the Governor.

“Part of the attention we need to pay to this is the impact of ‘Long COVID’ and how we make people very aware of the fact that if you do get infected there is a very major chance it will stay with you for life affecting different parts of your body and your health.”

“Excellent discussion also around what sort of measures we as a community need to put in place to best protect ourselves once our state does open up in a time where we are living with COVID.”

Attending a Crises Response Forum

This morning the Governor addressed a gathering of some of WA’s elite emergency service personnel, defence representatives, state and federal leaders, and industry delegates at a Future Engagement Forum hosted by WA’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The aim of the Forum was to look at driving an enhanced response to crises in WA, through strategic partnerships and multi-agency approaches. Part of the discussion looked at the potential use of the ADF in crises situations, in particular ahead of the state’s bushfire season.

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