Should we be forcing people to take COVID-19 test?

We know that Covid-19 testing, especially in hotspots, will be key to stopping it’s spread. However, since the second wave hit Melbourne we’ve heard of thousands of people who have refused the swab test. Should we throw the book at these people who say no? Or are there perfectly valid reasons to refuse the nasal swab?

Our guests to discuss this topic are Marylouise McLaws (UNSW Professor in infection prevention and is working on the World Health Organisation’s COVID Advisory Panel) and Lawyer Bill O’Shea (former President of the Law Institute of Victoria, former General Counsel at Alfred Health for 13 years).

In today's news headlines:

• COVIDSAFE app push as cases climb
• NSW Covid Cluster
• Ghislaine Maxwell fights to keep secret doc out of court
• Trump finally masks up on visit to military hospital

In today's Briefing we ask: There are various state laws that allow authorities to fine people for not taking a test or you can isolate someone as a way of making them get the test - should we use the full powers of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act to coerce people into taking the test?

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