Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments will be extended indefinitely
The Prime Minister has confirmed that pandemic leave payments will be extended indefinitely following this week’s National Cabinet meeting.
That’s the payment to COVID-struck workers who don’t have access to sick leave and are forced to stay home under mandatory isolation periods.
The scheme was to be turned off at the end of September 2022, despite the 5-day isolation requirement remaining in place. Sick people, “whether from COVID or from other health issues”, should stay home — and there’s a responsibility for the government to cover them financially for the appropriate period which is designated,” the Prime Minister said.
Federal and states/territories are splitting the bill. At the next meeting, the National Cabinet will look at shortening the isolation period, with the Prime Minister noting other nations are “gradually moving towards COVID being treated like other health issues.”