Looking around the world, some of the nations first hit by Covid-19 are well on the road to economic recovery and a return to some degree of normality. While social distancing, mask-wearing and other containment measures generally remain in place, people are free to go about their lives, to visit restaurants or go on holiday down the beach.

Through a basic level of compliance and shared concern for the welfare and future of their communities, these nations have managed to restore freedoms to their people and give their economy’s the strongest possible chance of recovery.

Meanwhile, in Australia the vast majority of...