The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is urging Australians to download the COVID-19 tracing application “COVIDSafe”.

RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon said that the contact tracing app will make a real difference in combating COVID-19.

“The RACGP supports the COVIDSafe app and we encourage all Australians to download it right away.

“We understand that many people have perfectly valid privacy and security concerns and it’s vital that government carefully manages how this app operates. The stakes are high and we need to get this right.

“There has been a strong early take up of the app and that is positive news. People in communities across Australia are doing such a great job of flattening the curve and this next step will help us trace and contain this virus.”

Dr Nespolon said that people should encourage their family members and friends to download the app.

“Please urge people in your life to download this app because the more people use it the more effective it will be.

“In the interests of combating this pandemic it’s essential that people take advantage of COVIDSafe so that we can better track cases of COVID-19 and limit its spread in the community. 

“We are all in this together, we all have a role to play in combating this once in a lifetime pandemic.

"Effective contact tracing is one of the most important steps in allowing us to eventually lift the limitations currently being enforced across Australia.

“So please remember, the COVIDSafe app means we are one step closer to removing the social restrictions in place and getting our communities back to normal.

“Life during this pandemic has not been easy but if Australians download this app we can chart a more rapid course to returning to life as it was.

“This app will also help to protect the GPs on the frontline who are still in their clinics working hard to care for patients with a variety of health conditions across Australia.”