THE isolation periods for COVID-positive cases will reduce from seven days to five for asymptomatic people.
National Cabinet agreed to the changes this week after Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd provided an update on the pandemic and outlined strategies for combating potential COVID-19 waves.
However, seven days’ isolation remains for workers in high-risk settings including aged care, disability care and provision of home care.
“I believe, and first ministers agreed, that on the weight of evidence this was a proportionate response at this point in the pandemic,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in Canberra.
“These changes will come into effect from September 9, with the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment eligibility to reflect the changed isolation periods, effective the same date.”
National Cabinet also agreed to remove the mandatory wearing of masks on domestic flights. This will come into effect on the same day.
“COVID is likely going to be around for a considerable period of time. And we need to respond appropriately to it, based upon the weight of evidence.”
There were 1709 new cases of COVID recorded yesterday, bringing the state’s active number to 13,182. There were 266 people in hospital with the virus, four of whom were on a ventilator and 14 in ICU. The state recorded four deaths.
