Infectious diseases physician Dr Nick Coatsworth has called for those advocating for various COVID-19 mandates to “move on” amid a surge in Omicron cases.
The increased presence of coronavirus in the community has forced thousands of Australians to isolate at home and miss work.This has led to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backflipping on COVID-19 pandemic support payments – which ended on June 30, after being introduced by the previous government.
The $750 payments will be split 50-50 between the Commonwealth and the state and territories which the Prime Minister said was a “fair way going forward”. The package is available for those on income support or ABSTUDY and have been severely financially affected by COVID-19. “I think that something has to change after the peak of this wave and I think you’ll find our policymakers are taking the same view,” he continued.“Essentially, if the isolation period remains at seven days – you have to give people the capacity to take that leave – you need the payments.