Covid rule changes you need to know

COVID rules for isolation are being scrapped across the country from Friday as the government pulls away from restrictions.

From October 14, the federal government will end Covid isolation rules and support payments for most workers.

Here’s what you need to know.

Do I still need to isolate when I have Covid?

People who test positive for Covid will isolate only while symptoms are presenting.

Pandemic leave disaster payments – paid to those who take time off work to isolate – will also end on Friday.

Do I still need to wear a mask?

People who test positive for Covid must still wear a mask in all indoor areas, with the exception of their own home.

Masks are still required in hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide.

Why are the rules being scrapped?

Chief medical officer Paul Kelly said while the pandemic was not over, there were low rates of community transmission and high vaccination rates.

“It does not in any way suggest that the pandemic is finished,” he said.

“However, we have very low rates of cases, hospitalisations, intensive care admissions, aged-care outbreaks and various other measures that we have been following very closely.”

Anthony Albanese said Australia was moving away from “Covid exceptionalism” and would treat the virus like the flu.

By the numbers

There were 36,790 new cases across Australia in the week to October 7. At that time, 1465 people were in hospital and 46 people in intensive care.

There were 189 deaths in the same period, bringing the total of deaths during the pandemic to 15,358 people.