Long lines for COVID-19 tests could be eased around the country if national cabinet agrees to change rules for travellers moving across state borders.
for interstate travel this Christmas, part of plans to cut long queues and speed up the use of rapid detection technology.
Chief Health Officer Paul Kelly said the requirements for pre-travel testing were adding to an already clogged system, with delays in results “interfering” with some contact tracing efforts. National cabinet agreed to establish nationally consistent definitions for close and casual contact requirements, easing confusion about isolation requirements and taking pressure off other parts of the public health response.Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry director of economics, employment and skills Jenny Lambert welcomed the decision.
Pushing Australians to take up COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, Mr Morrison announced moves to pay doctors and pharmacists an extra $10 per injection. “We know that the masks work, they do protect yourself, they do protect others if you happen to have COVID,” he said. “And people should wear masks.”
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