Australia’s Chief Medical Officer says people may have to continue to interact differently into the future, as well as face increased testing of even those with no symptoms to continue to contain the spread of coronavirus.

As some states move to start lifting restrictions on daily life, Professor Brendan Murphy says people must continue to keep their distance from others, wash their hands frequently and give up social niceties like handshakes.

“Even if we relieve restrictions in the future, people need to change the way they interact permanently. Permanently,” says Professor Murphy.

Australia continues to have a low rate of new cases, with 6720 people diagnosed with the virus to date — rising by just six nationally on Monday.