So far, the successful suppression of the coronavirus epidemic in Australia has been partly down to luck and large outbreaks are still possible, say infectious diseases epidemiologists.

Professor James McCaw and colleague Dr Kathryn Snow, both from the University of Melbourne, are advising against blanket relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.

Australia was still at risk of a surge in cases even if restrictions remain, they told a media briefing yesterday, ahead of the Federal Government releasing its plans for relaxing bans on gatherings and travel.

“We have been fortunate so far in Australia that [COVID-19] hasn’t gotten into very many nursing homes. But it could, because people have to go in and out … to provide care,” Dr Snow said.