Official PPE advice finally changes after doctors’ campaign

The updated guidelines have been drawn up by the government's Infection Control Expert Group
AMA president Dr Omar Khorshid.

Updated guidelines on PPE for GPs in contact with coronavirus patients have been released by Federal Government.

They encourage case-by-case judgements on whether respirators are necessary, based on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Treating multiple patients in one room, extended contact with suspected COVID-19 cases or seeing patients who are frequently coughing could all make a situation “high risk”, necessitating a respirator.

Another factor is whether the environment has “low levels of ventilation or unexpected air movements which may facilitate wider distribution of droplets and/or aerosols in the air”.